Publisher’s Note: The following information was provided by the Del Rio Police Department.
Two individuals were arrested after allegedly firing weapons in the direction of homes and a responding officer on April 5, 2026.
At approximately 2:15 p.m., an officer with the Del Rio Police Department responded to the 700 block of East Virginia Street in reference to shots fired.
Upon arrival, the officer began canvassing the area for evidence and heard multiple gunshots coming from a brush area just south of his location. The Val Verde County Sheriff’s Office was requested to assist in searching the area south of Virginia Street.
While on scene, additional shots were fired in the direction of the officer and nearby homes. Officers observed tree branches next to them being struck and damaged by gunfire. Officers immediately took cover and notified responding units of the active threat as shots continued traveling toward their position.
Additional Del Rio Police Department officers, along with U.S. Border Patrol agents, conducted a search of the Vista Hermosa area. During the search, officers located spent shell casings near the City of Del Rio Landfill, along with empty bottles and lids that appeared to have been used as targets.
While officers processed the scene, a Department of Public Safety trooper made contact with a witness who reported seeing two individuals enter the brush area earlier, leaving their vehicle parked nearby. The vehicle registration led officers to an address in the 800 block of East Virginia Street, where contact was made with Elijah Garza and Shay Garza.
The investigation revealed both subjects allegedly discharged a firearm multiple times while shooting at miscellaneous targets. The subjects later became aware of the police presence and fled the area, concealing the weapon.
Officers continued their search and located the firearm in an alley in the 700 block of East Bowie Street. The weapon was recovered and entered into evidence.
Elijah Andrew Garza, 18, and Shay Levon Garza, 25, were arrested and charged with deadly conduct and tampering/fabricating physical evidence.
Both subjects were transported to the police station for processing and were later released to the custody of the GEO Correctional Facility pending magistration.
