Jury Found Eric Vasquez Guilty of Murder
A San Antonio jury convicted Eric Vasquez for the 2025 shooting death of 41-year-old Jay Whitemountain Morales.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Violence
A jury has found 48-year-old Eric Vasquez guilty of murdering 41-year-old Jay Whitemountain Morales following a 2025 shooting on San Antonio's Northwest Side. The verdict follows a previous mistrial in the case.
Why it matters
The conviction brings a close to the legal proceedings regarding the unprovoked killing of a stranger on the Northwest Side. The case now moves to a punishment phase to determine the final sentence for the defendant.
Eric Vasquez faces a maximum potential sentence of 99 years in prison for the murder conviction. The defense has requested a sentencing duration between 5 to 10 years.
The players
Eric Vasquez
He is a 48-year-old man who was convicted of murder.
Jay Whitemountain Morales
He was a 41-year-old victim killed during the shooting incident.
The details
The shooting occurred at the 6700 block of Spring Hurst Drive after Vasquez chased Morales in his vehicle. Morales was killed after he pulled over at a bus stop, though the two men did not know each other.
Timeline
The shooting of Jay Whitemountain Morales occurred in 2025.
Jury deliberations lasted for five hours on October 8, 2026.
The jury returned a guilty verdict on October 9, 2026.
Legal Context
This conviction marks a departure from the previous proceeding, which ended in a mistrial due to a hung jury. The case follows local patterns of prosecution for violent crimes occurring in San Antonio neighborhoods.
The resolution of this case provides clarity to residents on the Northwest Side regarding the status of the investigation. The conclusion of the trial allows the legal system to address the safety concerns raised by the incident.
The takeaway
The jury's decision highlights the legal consequences for acts of violence involving strangers in the community. Residents can observe the upcoming punishment phase to understand the final legal repercussions of the incident.
Further reading
For more information on public safety, visit the Violence section.
