In a tragic case of mistaken identity, a San Antonio, Texas, woman was killed in her home by over 100 bullets in a drive-by shooting meant for a rival gang, resulting in the arrest of two teenagers, officials said.
Novita Brazil, 25, was fatally shot in October 2022 when 17-year-old Isaac Gonzales and 15-year-old Rene Gonzales allegedly targeted the wrong house in a retaliatory attack against gang members who had shot at them earlier. Instead, they hit Brazil’s residence, where she was hit and killed instantly while studying.
A visiting 41-year-old woman also sustained injuries in the gunfire during the incident.
Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar condemned the violence, calling the shooters “bloodthirsty young heathens with no regard for human life.” The strong statement reflects the community’s alarm over escalating gang-related incidents.
Despite their incarceration and being tried as adults, the teenagers were released on bond, only to flee and taunt law enforcement by posting videos online. After a rigorous manhunt by local authorities, Rene Gonzales was apprehended on October 26, and Isaac Gonzales was taken into custody on October 31, 2023.
The community mourns the loss of Brazil, remembered as a promising individual whose life was cut short. A native of Indonesia, she was living in San Antonio with her husband, who was in the military. This event has amplified calls for stricter measures to address gang violence in the area.