Content Warning this case involves the Latin community in San Antonio, Texas, possible justice mishandling, and some photos of the funeral that some people may find disturbing.
Thank you for looking at this case! I started the research for "Hands Off My Podcast." You can listen to their upcoming episode about Riojas here: https://handsoffmypodcast.transistor.fm/
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Santa Muerte, please intercede and bring justice, healing, and closure to the family of EZ Izaiah Luke Riojas.
Timeline of Events
December 20, 2016
Prosecutor Gretchen Flader is in the news because she allegedly attempts to sabotage her administration along with 37 other prosecutors. According to District attorney-elect Kim Ogg, these prosecutors had all been fired for various reasons. Flader had been accused of giving bad information about a case as well as having a romantic relationship with another prosecutor Nick Socias (whom Flader married) Socias had been fired for being a part of the "Jenny Scandal"
https://www.khou.com/article/news/local/da-elect-ogg-alleges-sabotage-by-fired-prosecutors/285-375468582
http://harriscountycriminaljustice.blogspot.com/2019/11/a-tale-of-two-firings.html
July 24, 2018
Det. Robert Bunnell is in the news for a murder case of Rodney Spring and Quikether Harris on January 21, 2016. However, the defense attorney Joel Perez questioned the police investigation's thoroughness.
"Detective Robert Bunnell admitted that the case, at times, was, in his words, "shabby." But Bunnell insisted that he was confident the case against Arroyo was solid."
"For the first time here in court, we're finding out that you found about six other guys," Perez said. "That's what you're telling this jury?"
https://www.ksat.com/news/2018/07/24/accused-killers-lawyer-grills-lead-detective-in-capital-murder-trial/
Detective Robert Bunnell (Case involvement timeframe unknown)
Police Officer of San Antonio, Texas. Det. Bunnel was a Homicide Detective from November 2019 to current for more than 14 years.
Previously he was a Patrol Officer in The US Navy. Det. Bunnel was also a cold case detective from Jun 2010 - March 2012.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/det-robert-bunnell-28590426/
Detective Bunnell becomes involved in Riojas case, and Castro's Twitter Justice4ez has many snips of conversations between herself and him. Castro expresses that she feels Bunnell did an improper murder investigation.
https://twitter.com/EzRiojas/status/1611704734917828608?s=20&t=SorvMpzSSXB70RZS46tj0g
Prosecutor Gretchen Flader (Case involvement timeframe unknown)
becomes involved in the case. On Riojas's mother's Twitter account, "Justice4EZ," she shares many snippets of conversations between herself and Flader.
Riojas's mother expresses her frustration with the prosecutor and how she's handled her son's death.
Weekend Friday - Sunday
Law enforcement responded to much gun violence throughout the weekend. This is a list of occurrences. https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/Weekend-of-violence-in-the-San-Antonio-area-15489619.php
August 15, 2020 (Saturday)
Shortly before the fatal shooting, SAPD said several people were "playing with a gun" inside a car near Rosemont at Bethel Place Apartments on located at 500 S. Acme Road in San Antonio, Texas. Geolocation: 29.4251, -98.5886
https://www.gunviolencearchive.org/incident/1765376
These people were five friends of Riojas.
According to an early news article, the people had told a Sargent on the scene that night that they were "all playing with guns."
"He trusted these kids. He thought they were his friends," Castro said.
https://news4sanantonio.com/news/local/this-is-how-i-see-my-son-mother-mourns-murdered-son-on-first-day-of-the-dead
The fatal shooting does not have a definitive time frame. One news source says around 12:40 am, but this is not the correct time based on other information. https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2020/08/17/authorities-id-man-shot-and-killed-after-group-was-playing-with-a-gun-inside-of-a-car/
Casto received a call at midnight from someone who said her son was shot and then hung up without answering any questions. https://news4sanantonio.com/news/local/this-is-how-i-see-my-son-mother-mourns-murdered-son-on-first-day-of-the-dead
The early news article says it was 12:38 am when Police and firefighters received a call from the location reporting the shooting.
Police were said to have responded to the scene around 12:38 am. However, this information has several contradicting times from different news sources. If this is the time they received the call, this is not the time they were on the scene. https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/SAPD-Man-dies-after-shot-in-the-back-on-the-West-15486367.php#taboola-1
Initially, the Police arrive at a body in a parking lot and some people there. There is conflicting information on how the body ended up in this location.
An early article said a Sargent on scene told the press that the victim and an unknown number of people were inside a car in the parking lot. The Sargent tells the media that information could change, however. A car and driver fled the scene, and somehow the victim ended up in the parking lot.
https://news4sanantonio.com/news/local/man-shot-and-killed-after-group-says-they-were-playing-with-guns
Later, Police said to the news that Izaiah Riojas (20) was shot and killed with a bullet in the back that went through the back of his seat. He got out of the vehicle, ran toward an apartment building, and collapsed in the courtyard.
There is conflicting information on bullet placement and how Riojas's body exited the car.
Riojas's mother said Riojas had been shot in the back of the head. Castro has said this multiple times through multiple platforms. https://twitter.com/EzRiojas/status/1615747170451263489?s=20&t=Lij_JIQGamWhNMeGIrUgew
Some suspects fled, but some stayed and were taken in for questioning.
https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2020/08/17/authorities-id-man-shot-and-killed-after-group-was-playing-with-a-gun-inside-of-a-car/
https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2020/08/26/mother-wants-answers-after-son-was-killed-while-in-a-car-with-friends/
https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/SAPD-Man-dies-after-shot-in-the-back-on-the-West-15486367.php
Riojas was pronounced dead at the scene by EMS around 12:50 am, who arrived after the Police.
https://news4sanantonio.com/news/local/man-shot-and-killed-after-group-says-they-were-playing-with-guns
https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/SAPD-Man-dies-after-shot-in-the-back-on-the-West-15486367.php#taboola-1
Jaime Sebastian Riojas (19), a friend of Izaiah Riojas, was arrested and charged with manslaughter on scene and had a bond of 25000.00, which was made, and he was released the same day. https://search.bexar.org/Case/CaseDetail?r=87e7ff27-e9f5-4047-977e-7b5bc20ddc8a&st=l&l=Riojas&fn=ja&m=&=&full=y&p=1_2021CR3275%20%20%20%20%20D2261981003100000
"I want to ask him, 'Why?' I forgive him," Castro (Mother) said. "I forgive him, but I want to ask him why. Why did you do that to my son? Why not get help? Why not drive him to the hospital? Why did everyone run?"
However, the rest of the friends from the car have yet to be brought to justice or questioned. Izaiah Riojas's mother hopes to have answers for that night from all these friends and not just one.
"I want answers," Castro said. "I still have so many questions. It is all this, 'He said, she said,' stuff, but I want the true story. There is only one story to his death, and that is the story I want."
https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2020/08/17/authorities-id-man-shot-and-killed-after-group-was-playing-with-a-gun-inside-of-a-car/
https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2020/08/26/mother-wants-answers-after-son-was-killed-while-in-a-car-with-friends/
https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2020/08/17/authorities-id-man-shot-and-killed-after-group-was-playing-with-a-gun-inside-of-a-car/
https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/SAPD-Man-dies-after-shot-in-the-back-on-the-West-15486367.php
August 15- 17, 2020
Riojas was identified by the Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office. https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/SAPD-Man-dies-after-shot-in-the-back-on-the-West-15486367.php#taboola-1
Daniel Aguilera organized a gofundme.com for funeral funds. They raised 2,065 through 30 donations. The event is now disabled. https://www.gofundme.com/f/long-live-ez
August 23, 2020
Izaiah Riojas was cremated, and his remains were placed in a cherry red urn with silver trims.
"I can't sleep at night," Castro said. "We cremated him this Sunday. I already talked to him, and I told him, 'I am going to let you rest, baby, but mommy's angry.' I am angry."
"This is how I have to speak to my son, see my son, every day in his ashes," Castro said.
https://news4sanantonio.com/news/local/this-is-how-i-see-my-son-mother-mourns-murdered-son-on-first-day-of-the-dead
https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2020/08/26/mother-wants-answers-after-son-was-killed-while-in-a-car-with-friends/
August 29, 2020
A basketball tournament in honor of Riojas is held at noon on 135 Topeka Street. The funds raised would go to other basketball teams in need. Dozens of players arrived at the tournament to raise funds in Riojas's honor.
https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2020/08/26/mother-wants-answers-after-son-was-killed-while-in-a-car-with-friends/
https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2020/08/30/family-holds-basketball-tournament-in-honor-of-izaiah-riojas/
November 2nd, 2020 (Monday) Día de Los Muertos
This is Riojas first Dia de Los Muertos. An ofrenda by his family is made, and his life is celebrated.
The news reports that law enforcement is still investigating and suspects other minors are involved.
https://twitter.com/AlejandraG_TV/status/1323429774472192003?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1323429774472192003%7Ctwgr%5E45cbfd1fb57b899b3e513b9cc7a52840a7bc58db%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fnews4sanantonio.com%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Fthis-is-how-i-see-my-son-mother-mourns-murdered-son-on-first-day-of-the-dead
Unknown Timeframe Estimated 2020
Castro begins getting texts from the other people involved in the incident. Many of the texts can be found on her Twitter account, "Justice4EZ" where she shares them. Many of the conversations she shares are heartbreaking, chilling, and outrageous.
https://twitter.com/EzRiojas
2021 (Estimated)
Lupe Castro (Mother's nickname) started a change.org petition to the President of the USA and League of United Latin American citizens and Congressman Joaquin Castro.
In this petition, they say that Riojas had been shot in the back of his head, his five "friends" dragged him out of the vehicle and left to die, and then some left, and some stayed.
One of the mothers of two friends declared Izaiah Riojas dead herself before the Police were even there.
Detectives told Castro that the kids had moved her son's body to help, but they had already changed their story.
The kids say they never saw a gun.
Riojas had his wallet stolen, and money was taken out of his debit card through different ATMs in the area. Then his bank account was closed by an unknown person after he died.
A mysterious phone call went to his mother to say he had been shot, but they hung up without giving details.
Only Jamie Riojas was charged, but the rest of the friends have not, and they changed their stories often. Jamie Riojas was let out on the same day, even with a 25,000 bond.
Text messages have additional info and show that a female may have lured Riojas to the group to beat him.
The investigator on the case refuses to hold other people accountable and withholds information from Riojas's family and instead threatens Izaiah's Mother and family with arrest and other actions. This investigator working for nearly 27 years, may have similar incidents in other cases.
The petition has nearly reached the goal number of signatures and, as of this date, has 1,175 signatures, and the comments ask for justice as they all agree he was murdered and robbed.
https://www.change.org/p/president-of-the-united-states-justice-for-izaiah-riojas/u/28256208
April 9, 2021
A civic alerts news flash mentions Jamie Riojas.
"Jaime Riojas is charged with manslaughter. The indictment alleges that on August 15, 2020, Riojas recklessly caused the death of Izaiah Riojas by discharging a deadly weapon (firearm) at and in the direction of Izaiah Riojas. This case is being prosecuted by the Criminal Trial Division in the 226th District Court. Manslaughter is a second degree felony punishable by 2 to 20 years in prison and a possible fine of up to $10,000.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. A person charged by indictment is presumed innocent until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt by a jury or a judge. Because these cases are pending, we can make no further comment on them."
https://www.bexar.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=685
June 9, 2021
Telemundo San Antonio runs an article aptly named "Game Or Crime? Mother demands justice for the death of her son from a bullet.
Castro expresses her frustration at the investigation in the article.
"They told him to sit in front, he sat in front in the [passenger seat], and they fired, they put the gun in and shot him in the back of the head,"
Castro says she will meet with the Bexar County District Attorney to ask that her son's death does not go unpunished.
https://www-telemundosanantonio-com.translate.goog/noticias/local/madre-exige-justicia-por-la-muerte-de-su-hijo-de-un-balazo-izaiah-luke-riojas-san-antonio/2127262/?_x_tr_sl=es&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp
July 21, 2021 (Wednesday)
Jodeci Damion Martinez (22) was arrested and charged with tampering with evidence related to the case. Martinez is accused of cleaning blood from his Chevrolet Malibu and stashing a gun after a passenger in his vehicle was shot while playing with the weapon on August 15, 2020.
The article says that San Antonio Police said Izaiah Luke Riojas (22) and Jamie Riojas (19) were playing with the gun inside the Malibu at the Rosemont Bethel Place apartment complex off Acme Road on the west side when the gun went off and killed Izaiah Riojas.
Then Izaiah's body was taken out of the car, Police said. Martinez drove about 7 miles to the 3900 block of Fredricksburg Road. Then he cleaned the blood using a muscle shirt he wore. Then he wrapped the handgun in a towel and stashed it in a yard on Magnes Lane, near Nelson Wolff stadium.
Then Martinez took 15 hours after the shooting before contacting Police through his attorney.
According to court records, Martinez's bail was set at 10,000, and he was released from jail.
https://web.archive.org/web/20210722194451/https://www.expressnews.com/news/article/San-Antonio-man-cleaned-evidence-fatal-shooting-16332911.php
https://www.telemundosanantonio.com/noticias/local/bajo-arresto-un-sospechoso-en-relacion-a-muerte-de-izaiah-luke-riojas-san-antonio/2135926/
July 22, 2021
A news article by expressnews.com updates the case's newest arrest and charges. Unfortunately, this news is not widely reported, and this article is behind a paywall. https://web.archive.org/web/20210722194451/https://www.expressnews.com/news/article/San-Antonio-man-cleaned-evidence-fatal-shooting-16332911.php
October 11, 2022
Jodeci Damion Martinez Judicial Number 2026181, Location CLS, in Court D226. The case is now closed. The disposition statutes say "DSMD-INSF EVIDENCE," and the offense description was "TAMPER EVIDENCE-INTENT IMPAIR."
https://search.bexar.org/Case/CaseDetail?r=87e7ff27-e9f5-4047-977e-7b5bc20ddc8a&st=l&l=Martinez&fn=Jodeci&m=&&p=1_2021CR7147+++++D2262026181100000
October 13, 2022
According to a screenshot of a conversation provided by Castro from Gretchen Flader to herself, Jodeci Martinez's case was dismissed by Judge Raymond Angelini because he suppressed the evidence based on a constitutional violation.
Flader goes on to tell the Victims' mother that she had failed to appear in court for Martinez's case. Castro had no obligation to go and found the wording hurtful.
Flader goes on to tell Castro that Jamie Rioja's sentence was December 1 at 9:30 am, and that's when she could go and speak with the judge.
https://twitter.com/EzRiojas/status/1615747170451263489?s=20&t=Lij_JIQGamWhNMeGIrUgew
However, in the detailed search of the case, there is no such sentence hearing on December 1. Instead, there was a "DC FILE FORWARD TO D226 and PEN PK TO SHER OFC."
https://search.bexar.org/Case/CaseDetail?r=87e7ff27-e9f5-4047-977e-7b5bc20ddc8a&st=l&l=Riojas&fn=ja&m=&=&full=y&p=1_2021CR3275%20%20%20%20%20D2261981003100000
The actual hearing and sentence date is November 29, 2022
https://search.bexar.org/Case/CaseDetail?r=87e7ff27-e9f5-4047-977e-7b5bc20ddc8a&st=l&l=Riojas&fn=ja&m=&=&full=y&p=1_2021CR3275%20%20%20%20%20D2261981003100000
November 29, 2022
Jamie S. Riojas is sentenced for his part in Izaiah's death. The charge was manslaughter, and Riojas pleaded "PG CT-GUILTY" The judgment was a fine and term. The fine was 1,500 dollars.
Judicial Number 1981003 in court D226 location TDC
JUDGE VELIA MEZA and COURT REPORTER DAVID ZARATE
Izaiah Luke Riojas
Riojas had the nickname EZ and was born February 3, 2000, and was killed August 15, 2020, in San Antonio, Texas. Riojas's favorite color is red, a motif that appears on many of his memorials. EZ also liked being outside, so his mother made him a particular spot on the Day of The Dead.
"He loved being outside," Castro said. "So, we put a little bit of his ashes out here in his trophy, and we have candles, and we light it up at night with some Christmas lights that we already put up, and that's what he would've wanted, and this is where he would stand and talk to his friends, and this is how I see him right here."
https://news4sanantonio.com/news/local/this-is-how-i-see-my-son-mother-mourns-murdered-son-on-first-day-of-the-dead
He was survived by his mother and two brothers. One brother is named Brandyn. Riojas has a caring family, including an Uncle who had Riojas appear to him in a dream to tell him that nothing could have been done to save him. Even beyond the grave, Riojas comforted his family. https://www.change.org/p/president-of-the-united-states-justice-for-izaiah-riojas/u/28258654
Guadalupe Castro, also known as Lupe Castro, is Riojas's mother, and she was devastated by the news. "I get a call at midnight that my son was shot, and I was like, what son? Because I have three boys," Castro said. "And they just hung up on me."
Riojas wanted to grow his basketball career and was well-known as a good basketball player.
"He was always practicing," Castro said. "Alway balling. He would play with some kids. These kids would be six foot four or six foot five. My babies were five foot six and five foot seven, so tiny kids," she laughed. "So it was awesome to see him fly. I would get compliments at the game and because he was good in school too. He played all over the United States. Traveled with a lot teams he played with."
She said he even would teach kids how to play.
"There are kids that look up to him in basketball and they are taking it hard," Castro said. "Real hard."
In Izaiah's own words, his statement for NCSA Sports.org for a recruiting profile.
"Hello my name is Izaiah Luke Riojas. I currently play for San Antonio Dream Team and have been playing since I was 3. My current position is guard, shooting guard and defense. I am currently known for the defensive player with the most steals per game. I score average about 18 to 20 pt per game and have about 15 steals per game. I attend JFK school in San Antonio, TX. I play AUU year round and travel a lot for tournaments. My tein brother and I are very well known in San Antonio..Look us up on facebook Riojas Brothers or youtube Riojas Baller Brothers..We played for Ice Man George Gervin and won 2016 Texas States Champs..Our school got a banner for the gym and we bear a 7 yr round winner from Dallas TX."
https://www.ncsasports.org/mens-basketball-recruiting/texas/san-antonio/john-f-kennedy-high-school30/izaiah--riojas
Castro said that out of all of her boys, Izaiah Riojas was the goofy one.
"He was always dancing, laughing, joking, and just making jokes out of everything," she laughed. "Even though he would get on my nerves sometimes but he was always laughing and making everybody laugh. Yeah, that was my baby."
Castro hopes that one day she will be able to make a basketball team in honor of her son.
Riojas had attended JFK Highschool.
A digital gun violence memorial page was created in his memory. https://gunmemorial.org/2020/08/15/izaiah-riojas
https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2020/08/26/mother-wants-answers-after-son-was-killed-while-in-a-car-with-friends/
Sources Repetitive
https://www.facebook.com/News4SA/posts/izaiah-riojas-20-was-murdered-this-past-august-today-his-mother-set-up-an-ofrend/10159033103032445/
https://www-telemundosanantonio-com.translate.goog/noticias/local/madre-pide-justicia-despues-de-que-su-hijo-muriera-por-un-balazo/2127251/?_x_tr_sl=es&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp
https://www.pressreader.com/
https://woai.iheart.com/content/2020-08-15-man-dies-in-san-antonio-shooting/?Keyid=socialflow&Sc=editorial&Pname=local_social&fbclid=IwAR1f94zgCHLooqHtKKzVRZEIH28h4MTtWn4Yz240v8bVIg484ltcF4O9rD8
Possible Similar Cases
https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/San-Antonio-teenager-fatally-shot-Sunday-night-on-15488828.php
https://abc7amarillo.com/news/local/teen-accidentally-shoots-friend-in-the-chest-while-playing-with-gun-police-say-shooting-marbach-san-antonio-teenagers-critical-condition-accident
Teen lured with Instagram msg to ambush/death.
https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2022/11/01/sapd-seeking-information-in-fatal-ambush-of-teen-outside-north-side-home/
https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2021/12/04/man-playing-with-gun-accidentally-shoots-self-in-head-dies-from-injuries-san-antonio-police-say/
Shooting in the same area for robbery
https://www.ktsa.com/man-arrested-in-double-shooting-that-left-one-dead-one-wounded/
Family Social Media Accounts
https://www.facebook.com/izaiah.izaiah.75
https://www.facebook.com/justice.izaiahriojas
https://www.facebook.com/izaiah.riojas.71
https://www.facebook.com/justicefor.ezriojas
https://www.youtube.com/@lamuertedeunhijo5220
Social Account Unknown Creator
https://www.facebook.com/izaiah.riojas.5
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