A Texas community is being terrorized by armed teens who are throwing wild drug-fueled parties in vacant newly-built homes.
Cops sounded the alarm over the growing trend earlier this month after a teenage partygoer was killed in the new community BrookMill in Bexar County – where many homes are still under construction.
Landon Reyes, 17, was found dead with gunshot wounds in the backyard of an empty property just weeks before his 18th birthday.
He was one of more than 100 teens who had descended on 3900 block of Rock Mill Dam for a late-night party that Bexar Sheriff County Josie Salazaar described as a ‘recipe for disaster.’
The sheriff said the teens typically learn about these parties via social media and then show up to ‘stage a takeover’. He added that deputies had broken up a party at the same property just two weeks earlier.
Landon Reyes was killed just weeks before his 18th birthday. His family has created a GoFundMe to help pay for his funeral
The teen was shot dead at a home in the 3900 block of Rock Mill Dam on the far west side in Brexar County, Texas
On the night of the party, deputies from the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office were alerted to reports of up to 20 gunshots heard at the property.
When officers arrived at around 1 am on August 4 hordes of partygoers were seen frantically fleeing the scene before police made the grim discovery of Reyes’ body.
Numerous shell casings were found on the ground and investigators are trying to determine if Reyes was shot accidentally or killed in a targeted hit.
The shooter(s) have not yet been identified and police are asking the public for help.
‘We want as much information as possible,’ Salazaar said. ‘The more the better. We are interested in putting someone behind bars who murdered this man – cut down at the prime of his life.’
Salazaar also alerted the community to the growing trend of teen takeovers of vacant properties and urged residents to be vigilant.
He said that if anyone spots activity in a home they know has not yet been occupied – such as cars lining the street or loud music – they should call the police.
He also advised homebuilders to be on the alert – particularly with homes that are move-in ready with all the utilities hooked up.
‘Air-conditioning, water, everything ready to go, that’s a prime target for these folks,’ he warned.
The sheriff added: ‘All they have to do is figure out how to get in through an open window and they are home free to have a party in the comfort of a brand new home.’
The house the teens occupied had blue tape on the floor which indicated that the new homeowners were ready to move in, investigators said
Cops showed a video of teens partying and dancing with guns in a vacant home
During the presser, the chief showed a video of a different party but pointed out that it was the same ‘style’ of what took place at the home at Rock Milll Dam.
‘As you can see people are dancing on the breakfast islands – people waving guns around,’ he said, in part. ‘People drinking probably using narcotics and you can see in this grainy video waving handguns and rifles around.’
Catherine Morales was one of the first people to move into the BrookMill community.
On the night of the party, she told News 4 San Antonio how frightened she was after waking up to the sound at least 10 gunshots coming from the corner house.
‘I have never seen anything like that before,’ she recalled. ‘Hundreds of kids coming out of that house and a bunch of cars on the streets’.
She added that she also saw kids hiding on her porch and behind her cars.
According to a report, deputies had broken up a gathering at the same house the weekend before, as per the news outlet.
Morales said she wasn’t sure if they were the same teenagers on both occasions but suspected they may be.
‘This is pretty common for them to go from vacant house to vacant house. They target specifically the BrookMill communities,’ she said.
Concerned for her own safety, she said she hopes the builders are also taking steps to keep new homeowners safe.
The family has created a GoFundMe to help raise money for the young man’s funeral
The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office said Crime Stoppers is offering a potential reward of up $5,000 for any information that leads to the arrests of the suspects responsible for Reyes’ death.
Meanwhile, Reyes’ relatives have set up a fundraiser to help support the the family.
‘Our dearest Landyn, you brought endless joy and love into our lives, and your spirit will always be cherished,’ they wrote.
‘We will forever hold you close to our hearts and your genuine smiles will always be remembered.’
As of Wednesday, more than $9,400 has been raised towards their goal of $12,000.
