SAN ANTONIO — A makeshift memorial marks the tragic site where 14-year-old Simon Cuevas was shot dead two weeks ago. Framed by crosses, flowers, and stuffed animals, the memorial stands on a street corner just steps from Brewer Academy, where Simon was reportedly ambushed on his way home from school.
The community’s anguish grows with each day that passes without an arrest. Simon was allegedly attacked by a group of seven classmates, and concerns are mounting over the lack of accountability in the case. Parents took to the streets Thursday morning, voicing their frustration over what they see as insufficient action by authorities to identify those responsible.
Carmen Dominguez, a parent at Brewer Academy, expressed her exasperation during the rally. “It’s a small school,” she noted, emphasizing the school’s close-knit nature and the responsibility of the administration to track student safety more diligently. “It’s ridiculous they haven’t found somebody,” she added, questioning the effectiveness of school leadership in protecting its students.
Authorities responded to the scene of the April 16 shooting promptly. San Antonio Police Chief William McManus confirmed that Simon had been confronted by his peers before being fatally shot. Despite the gravity of the incident, none of the suspects have been publicly identified, heightening community anxiety.
San Antonio ISD officials indicated that they are aware of serious safety concerns among students. Police Chief Johnny Reyes pointed out that students at Brewer Academy often have a troubling tendency to stash weapons along their route home, suggesting that Simon’s death could have been preventable with better oversight.
Simon’s mother, Alejandra Cuevas, conveys heart-wrenching grief as she demands justice for her son. “I know that I can’t get my son back, and that’s the hardest thing that I have to accept,” she stated, urging law enforcement to hold those accountable for the crime.
In a twist to the community’s fight for justice, the rally began as a planned student walkout. However, the Brewer Academy administration issued warnings to families, indicating that students could face truancy penalties for leaving school to participate. “This is not a school-sanctioned event,” acting Principal David Velasquez cautioned, insisting students remain on campus.
As parents gathered at the neighborhood memorial before marching to the school, a blend of hope and despair filled the air. Together, they chanted “Justice for Simon!” demanding that authorities intensify their search for the suspects.
Last Chance Ministries Pastor Jimmy Robles joined the march, recalling his own grief from losing a daughter. “We’re in dire need of someone to come forward and say, ‘I know something,’” he urged, echoing the community’s desperate call for information leading to an arrest.
Despite initial optimism from law enforcement about utilizing surveillance footage to identify the attackers, they have yet to make any headway in the investigation. As frustration mounts, the participants in Thursday’s march held out hope that community support could spur someone to come forward.
For Dominguez, the implications of Simon’s shooting extend beyond personal tragedy. “These are kids that are gonna think there’s no consequences to things,” she warned, comparing them to being emboldened in a cycle of violence. “If I was a parent and my child had done this, I wouldn’t cover up for them. How can you think your life is better than someone else’s?”
As the community grapples with the aftermath of this senseless tragedy, the demand for justice remains resolute, with parents and advocates calling for enhanced safety measures to prevent further violence among youth.