Three teenagers who allegedly tricked an 80-year-old man out of his pickup truck and dragged him to his death have been sentenced to prison, the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office announced. The case, which began as a robbery during a routine errand, escalated into a fatal homicide after the victim suffered catastrophic injuries.
Background
On Feb. 11, 2023, Larry Brister was making a quick dinner run in the Stonewood Drive area of San Antonio when he encountered the suspects. Authorities stated that Zachariah Aguirre, who was 15 years old at the time, approached Brister and tricked him into exiting his vehicle to inspect a tire.
Once Brister stepped out, Aguirre jumped into the driver’s seat and attempted to flee. According to the DA’s office, the teen knowingly dragged Brister as the elderly man tried to stop the truck from moving. The incident left Brister with severe injuries, including brain bleeds, a broken nose, a broken shoulder, broken ribs, a collapsed lung, and a broken fibula.
Brister was transported to a local hospital where he fought for his life for nearly five months before succumbing to his injuries. His daughter, Paige Roy, described the brutality of the attack to regional NBC affiliate WOAI, asking, "Who does that to an 80 year old man? If you need the vehicle, to take the vehicle is one thing, but the brutal hateness, I can't wrap my head around this."
The Charges
All three defendants were initially arrested and charged with aggravated robbery. After Brister’s death, the charges were upgraded to murder. Miguel Acosta, 20, pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery earlier this year and was sentenced this week to 10 years in prison.
Zachariah Aguirre, now 19, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for the murder of Larry Brister. The third defendant, Gabriel Urbano, 19, also pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery and received a 20-year sentence. Urbano was reportedly charged in a separate aggravated robbery case as well.
Key Takeaways
- Larry Brister, 80, was killed after being dragged by a truck driven by a suspect who tricked him out of his vehicle.
- Zachariah Aguirre was sentenced to 25 years for murder.
- Gabriel Urbano received 20 years for aggravated robbery.
- Miguel Acosta received 10 years for aggravated robbery.
- The incident occurred in San Antonio’s Stonewood Drive area in February 2023.
- Brister died after fighting for his life in the hospital for nearly five months.
What's Next
Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales emphasized the importance of accountability in the case, noting that while the sentences cannot undo the loss, they hold the defendants responsible for their actions. With all three defendants now sentenced, the criminal proceedings for this specific incident are concluded.
However, legal matters are not entirely closed for one defendant. Gabriel Urbano faces additional legal proceedings related to a separate aggravated robbery charge, meaning his incarceration will likely continue beyond the 20-year term handed down in the Brister case. The family of Larry Brister continues to seek closure, having publicly questioned the extreme violence inflicted upon an elderly victim during a simple act of theft.
The case serves as a stark reminder of how quickly a routine encounter can turn deadly, particularly when vulnerable victims are targeted by youthful offenders. While the sentences handed down by the Bexar County court mark the end of the trial phase for the murder charge, the broader impact on the community and the victims' families remains a lingering reality.