Duniel Valladares Fernandez was walking toward the front gate of his San Antonio home to greet two men who had arrived when one of them shot him dead, authorities said. The confrontation on Feb. 16, 2023, stemmed from a financial dispute between the victim and the defendants.
Background
Adis Hernandez-Rivas, 24, and Marco Antonio Moreno Vasquez, 34, arrived at a home on the 7700 block of Winsford Drive in San Antonio seeking to confront Valladares Fernandez. According to an arrest affidavit obtained by the San Antonio Express-News, Moreno Vasquez provided Hernandez-Rivas with a firearm and instructed him to shoot during the confrontation.
Home security camera footage captured Valladares Fernandez walking to the front gate of the property where he met the two men. The video showed the suspects' license plate as their vehicle was visible in the driveway. As the conversation grew more animated, Hernandez-Rivas reached into his pocket, raised his arm as if holding a weapon, and pointed it at the victim. Authorities noted that Hernandez-Rivas' arm appeared to recoil as if a gun had been fired.
Law enforcement and emergency personnel responded to the scene. Valladares Fernandez was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The Investigation
Days after the killing, law enforcement officers in Atascosa County spotted the suspects' vehicle during a traffic stop and arrested both men. When investigators searched Moreno Vasquez' home, they discovered the murder weapon concealed inside a refrigerator among food items, according to the Bexar County Criminal District Attorney's Office.
Ballistics testing confirmed that the firearm matched the shell casings recovered from the homicide scene, establishing a critical link between the weapon and the crime.
Hernandez-Rivas pleaded guilty to murder charges. He was sentenced this week to 30 years in prison under a plea agreement with prosecutors. Moreno Vasquez had previously been convicted and sentenced to 40 years in prison for his role in the killing.
"This case demonstrates that everyone who plays a role in a violent crime will be held accountable," Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales said. "Today's sentence brings another measure of justice for Duniel Valladares Fernandez and his loved ones."
Key Takeaways
- Victim Duniel Valladares Fernandez was shot and killed on Feb. 16, 2023, at his San Antonio home during a confrontation over money
- Co-defendants Adis Hernandez-Rivas and Marco Antonio Moreno Vasquez were arrested days later following a traffic stop in Atascosa County
- Investigators found the murder weapon hidden inside a refrigerator among food items at one of the defendants' residences
- Ballistics testing confirmed the firearm matched shell casings from the crime scene
- Hernandez-Rivas received 30 years; Moreno Vasquez was sentenced to 40 years for his role in the murder
What's Next
Hernandez-Rivas will begin serving his sentence immediately at a Texas Department of Criminal Justice facility. The case marks the conclusion of over three years of proceedings since the initial investigation began following Valladares Fernandez's death.