SAN ANTONIO, Texas – A grim discovery on the city’s south side has launched a homicide investigation, with arson teams joining the scene after evidence suggested someone may have tried to torch the truth.
The body of a man believed to be in his 30s or 40s was found Friday afternoon inside a home on Prairie Hill Drive, not far from Interstate 35 and Palo Alto Road. Police say he had been shot in the back of the head.
Around 1:30 p.m., officers responded to a neighbor’s call reporting that a person had been shot and that the body remained inside the residence. During a search of the property, investigators found what appeared to be gasoline spread throughout the house, prompting arson investigators to be called in. Their task: determine if the killer had tried to destroy evidence.
The home was reportedly under renovation at the time, with a work crew regularly coming and going. Authorities believe the victim was part of that crew. The shooting is believed to have occurred sometime overnight.
No weapon was found at the scene, and no one else was inside the home when officers arrived.
A sergeant on scene confirmed that one person has been detained and taken downtown for questioning. That individual—described as a friend of the victim—is not currently considered a suspect, though police say he may have been the last person to see the man alive.
The investigation remains active as authorities continue processing evidence.