SAN ANTONIO — A San Antonio family is searching for answers in the death of a father. On Thursday, the family held a balloon release for Steven Valdez. A week ago, the 37-year-old was found with a gunshot wound inside a home.
KENS 5 spoke with Valdez's daughter, Lyanna, who is heartbroken her dad is longer here.
"It has been really hard," she said. "He had hard times. But, he was trying his best to stay out here for me."
Lyanna wanted to have the vigil for her father, who she said was trying to turn his life around.
"He may not have always made the best decision," she said. "But, he did a lot of good things. He was trying."
Exactly one week ago, San Antonio Police showed up to a home off Steves Avenue for a shooting in progress call. Police said when officers arrived they found Valdez shot with a pool of blood by his feet. According to the SAPD report, the man's grandmother says she heard him saying quote: "I shot myself. I didn't do it on purpose. I'm dying."
Grandmother Elva Anthony inside the home at the time remembering when she heard the gunshot.
"I said mijo, mijo are you alright," she said. "He said no grandma. I am sorry. I accidentally shot myself."
SAPD says while they were searching the home, they found a suicide note. But, the grandmother doesn't believe Valdez would have taken his own life. Police said it is unknown when the note was written, pending further investigation.
The family is raising funds for Valdez's funeral. They are having a plate sale on Saturday, located at 5414 West Military. It will begin at noon.
According to the Bexar County Medical Examiner, the cause of death is shotgun wound. However, the manner of death is still pending.