A Texas community is being terrorized by armed teens throwing wild, drug-fueled parties in vacant, newly built homes.
Police sounded the alarm about the growing trend earlier this month after a teenager attending a party was killed in the new BrookMill community in Bexar County, where many homes are still under construction.
Landon Reyes, 17, was found dead from gunshot wounds in the backyard of a vacant property just weeks before his 18th birthday.
He was one of more than 100 teenagers who had gathered in the 3900 block of Rock Mill Dam for an all-night party that Bexar County Sheriff Josie Salazaar described as a “recipe for disaster.”
The sheriff said teens often learn about these parties through social media and then show up to “stage a home invasion.” 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 set up a GoFundMe account to help pay for his funeral.
The teenager was shot to death at a home in the 3900 block of Rock Mill Dam in far western Brexar County, Texas.
On the night of the party, Bexar County Sheriff’s Office deputies were alerted to reports of up to 20 gunshots heard on the property.
When officers arrived around 1 a.m. on Aug. 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 whether Reyes was accidentally shot or killed in a targeted shooting.
The shooters 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 merrier. We are interested in putting behind bars someone who murdered this man, who was killed in the prime of his life.
Salazaar also alerted the community to the growing trend of teenagers taking over vacant properties and urged residents to be vigilant.
He said if anyone detects activity in a home they know hasn’t been occupied yet (such as cars on the street or loud music) they should call police.
He also advised homebuilders to be vigilant, particularly with homes that are move-in ready with all utilities connected.
‘Air conditioning, water, everything ready to go, that is the main objective of these people,’ he warned.
The sheriff added: “All they have to do is figure out how to get in through an open window and they’ll be home free to party in the comfort of a new home.”
The home the teens were occupying had blue tape on the floor, indicating the new owners were ready to move in, investigators said.
Police showed video of teenagers partying and dancing with guns in an empty house
During the press conference, the chief He showed a video from a different party, but noted that it was in the same “style” as what took place at the Rock Mill Dam house.
“As you can see, people are dancing on the breakfast islands, waving guns around,” he said, in part. “People are drinking, probably consuming narcotics, and in this grainy video you can see them waving pistols and rifles around.”
Catherine Morales was one of the first people to move into the BrookMill community.
The night of the party, she said: News 4 San Antonio how scared she was after waking up to the sound of at least 10 gunshots coming from the house on the corner.
“I’d never seen anything like that,” he recalls. “Hundreds of children coming out of that house and a lot of cars on the street.”
He added that he also saw children hiding on their porches and behind their cars.
According to a report, officers had broken up a gathering at the same house the previous weekend, according to the news outlet.
Morales said she was not sure if they were the same teenagers on both occasions, but she suspected they could be.
“It’s quite common for them to go from one empty house to another. They specifically target BrookMill communities,” he said.
Concerned for her own safety, she said she hopes the builders are also taking steps to keep the 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 to $5,000 for any information leading to the arrest of the suspects responsible for Reyes’ death.
Meanwhile, Reyes’ relatives have organized a fundraiser to help support the family.
“Dear Landyn, you brought endless joy and love into our lives, and your spirit will always be cherished,” they wrote.
‘We will always hold you close to our hearts and your genuine smiles will always be remembered.’
As of Wednesday, more than $9,400 of their $12,000 goal has been raised.
