Texas town is living in fear amid alarming trend of armed teens throwing wild drug-fueled parties in empty newly-built homes
A Texas community is terrorized by armed teenagers who throw wild, drug-fueled parties in vacant, newly constructed homes.
Police raised the alarm about the growing trend earlier this month after a teenage partygoer was killed in Bexar County’s new BrookMill neighborhood, where many homes are still under construction.
Landon Reyes, 17, was found dead with gunshot wounds in the backyard of a vacant home just weeks before his 18th birthday.
He was one of more than 100 teenagers who had gathered in the 3900 block of Rock Mill Dam for a late-night party that Bexar Sheriff County Sheriff Josie Salazaar described as “a recipe for disaster.”
The sheriff said the teens typically hear about these parties through social media and show up to “stage a takeover,” adding that officers had broken up a party on the same property just two weeks earlier.
Landon Reyes was murdered just weeks before his 18th birthday. His family has created a GoFundMe to help pay for his funeral
The teen was shot to death at a home in the 3900 block of Rock Mill Dam on the far west side of Brexar County, Texas.
On the night of the party, deputies with the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office were called to the scene after hearing approximately 20 shots fired.
When officers arrived at the scene around 1 a.m. on August 4, they saw a crowd of partygoers fleeing in panic before police made the gruesome discovery of Reyes’ body.
Numerous shell casings were found on the ground and investigators are trying to determine whether Reyes was accidentally shot or killed deliberately.
The shooter(s) have not yet been identified and police are asking the public for assistance.
“We want as much information as possible,” Salazaar said. “Tthe more the better. We are interested in putting someone behind bars who murdered this man – shot in the prime of his life.’
Salazaar also warned the community about the growing trend of teenagers taking over vacant properties and urged residents to be vigilant.
He said if anyone notices activity in a house where they know no one has been before — such as cars on the road or loud music — they should call police.
He also advised home builders to be alert, especially for homes that are ready to move into and have all utilities already connected.
“Air conditioning, water, everything ready to use, that’s a major goal for these people,” he warned.
The sheriff added: “All they have to do is find a way in through an open window and then they can have a party in the comfort of their brand new home.”
The house where the teens lived had blue tape on the floor, indicating the new homeowners were ready to move in, investigators said.
Officers released video of teens partying and dancing with guns in a vacant home
During the press conference the chief said showed a video of another party, but pointed out that it was the same “style” as what took place at the house at Rock Mill Dam.
“As you can see, people are dancing on the breakfast isles — people are waving guns,” he said, in part. “People are probably drinking and using drugs and you can see in this grainy video they’re waving guns and rifles.”
Catherine Morales was one of the first to move to the BrookMill community.
On the night of the party she told News 4 San Antonio how scared she was when she woke up to the sound of at least 10 gunshots coming from the corner house.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” she recalls. “Hundreds of kids coming out of that house and a lot of cars on the street.”
She added that she also saw children hiding on her porch and behind her cars.
According to the news outlet, officers had disrupted a gathering at the same house the weekend before.
Morales said she wasn’t sure if the same teens were involved in both cases, but she suspected it was possible.
“It’s pretty common for them to go from vacant home to vacant home. They’re specifically targeting the BrookMill communities,” she said.
She is concerned for her own safety and hopes that builders will also take steps to ensure the safety of new homeowners.
The family has set up a GoFundMe to raise money for the young man’s funeral
According to the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, Crime Stoppers is offering a potential $5,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest of the suspects responsible for Reyes’ death.
Meanwhile, Reyes’ relatives have started a fundraising campaign to support the family.
“Our dearest Landyn, you brought endless joy and love into our lives, and your soul will always be cherished,” they wrote.
‘We will forever hold you in our hearts and we will never forget your genuine smile.’
As of Wednesday, more than $9,400 of the $12,000 goal had been raised.