SAN ANTONIO — A man shot and killed his father in what relatives told police was a "mental health episode" on Monday morning, according to officials with the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD).
It happened just after 3 a.m. at a home along the 5900 block of Cliff Ridge Drive, near Culebra Road on the far west side of town.
According to police, Austin Velez, 31, was inside the home with his 59-year-old father, Louis Anthony Velez, who was on the phone with another family member. Police said they were told by relatives that Velez was having some sort of mental health episode inside the home.
The family member told police she heard a disturbance and then what sounded like a gunshot.
When officers arrived at the home they spoke with the suspect, who said his father was dead and then turned himself in to police. Investigators found the body of the victim inside the house with gunshot wounds, SAPD says.
KENS 5 spoke with the victim's daughter, Ashley Velez, who described her father as a "beautiful man, wonderful father, husband, brother, grandfather, friend."
"Waking up today is bitter sweet, thinking it was a dream about my father being murdered by my brother a horrible nightmare, but no it's not," Ashley said in a public Facebook post.
Ashley noted her father loved fixing up cars, having worked in the automotive industry for decades.
"He was funny, charming, a jokester, cared so much of others, worked so hard," Ashley said.
Ashley stressed on Facebook the importance of checking on family members when it comes to mental illness.
"I never want anyone to go through what we are, God I wish this never happen to mine! Love my Daddy," the post stated.
Ashley said family, including her father, have tried helping Velez over the years with his mental health struggles.
Velez has been charged with murder and assault, and is jailed on a $155,000 bond. An initial court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 14.
The family has started a GoFundMe to raise money for now.
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