SAN ANTONIO — A man is facing charges for allegedly beating his neighbor to death and then setting his home on fire on the city's west side.
In the early morning hours of February 27, fire officials say a fire started in the 800 block of Northwest 20th Street near West Martin Street. The body of Richard Amesquita, 58, was found inside the home once the fire was out.
KENS 5 obtained two arrest affidavits that showed the fire may have been intentionally set by a neighbor. Baltazar Castaneda, who police say lives near the victim, is charged with murder and arson.
Initially, investigators believed the victim was a heavy smoker but a relative insisted that was not the case.
Less than a week after the fire, investigators were able to obtain surveillance video from an elementary school across the street.
The affidavits says surveillance video shows Castaneda acting strangely and pacing back and forth in front of the victim's house in an "aggressive gait" in the hours before the fire.
It states Castaneda is seen brutally attacking and killing the victim before dragging his body inside the home.
The surveillance video reportedly shows Castaneda walking up to the victim's front door with what appeared to be a lighter. Minutes later, the house is seen on the video fully engulfed in flames.
Investigators said Castaneda is then seen taking off his clothes and throwing it into the flames to try and get rid of evidence.
Video from a body-worn camera on one of the first responders also reportedly showed Castaneda leaving the neighborhood in a pickup truck once fire crews arrived to respond to the fire.
On Thursday, March 7, investigators returned to the home. They said they found the clothing Castaneda threw into the fire.
He remains in the Bexar County Jail with bonds totaling $350,000.
MORE LOCAL NEWS
Learn more about KENS 5:
Since going on the air in 1950, KENS 5 has strived to be the best, most trusted news and entertainment source for generations of San Antonians.
KENS 5 has brought numerous firsts to South Texas television, including being the first local station with a helicopter, the first with its own Doppler radar and the first to air a local morning news program.
Over the years, KENS 5 has worked to transform local news. Our cameras have been the lens bringing history into local viewers' homes. We're proud of our legacy as we serve San Antonians today.
Today, KENS 5 continues to set the standard in local broadcasting and is recognized by its peers for excellence and innovation. The KENS 5 News team focuses on stories that really matter to our community.
You can find KENS 5 in more places than ever before, including KENS5.com, the KENS 5 app, the KENS 5 YouTube channel, KENS 5's Roku and Fire TV apps, and across social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and more!
Want to get in touch with someone at KENS 5? You can send a message using our Contacts page or email one of our team members.