SAN ANTONIO — A makeshift memorial now rests outside an indoor basketball court on the south side of San Antonio after a man in his mid 20s was shot and killed early Friday morning.
“Very sad, very, very sad. He was like my little brother," said a friend of the victim who wished not to identified. “It took me by surprise.”
The search continues for the person responsible for the fatal shooting, which happened around 12:13 a.m. outside Brook's Inner City Sports on the 100 block of Topeka Boulevard. Police say the man was found in the parking lot shot several times.
More than a dozen evidence markers indicating bullet casings littered the ground. Bullet holes riddle the roll up steel door of the sports facility and the side of the building.
Susie and Edward Coronado, who live across the street, heard the midnight chaos.
“We were actually getting ready for bed, we were dozing off and we just heard these gun shots," Susie said. “Unfortunately, this man lost his life, a family lost a loved one. All in all, though, I’m glad that we’re all safe.”
The Bexar County Medical Examiner identified the victim as Xavier Perez, 27.
The victim's friend visited the site to pay his respects to someone he's known since middle school.
“Every Thursday, we would come play basketball at Topeka gym," he said. "He was just a great young man, great person to have around you."
Officials say the suspect was seen driving a sedan speeding off from the scene.
An investigation is ongoing.