SAN ANTONIO — On Thursday, a teenager pleaded guilty to charges stemming from a deadly drive-by shooting. Isaac Gonzales and another teenager are accused of killing an innocent woman on Oct. 4, 2022, when they shot up a home in the 11400 block of Bald Mountain Drive.
Gonzales is now 17 and his defense attorney says if he does well in prison, he may be eligible for parole when he is in his mid-30s. Gonzales accepted a plea deal on two felony charges: murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
A judge agreed to an arrangement worked out between the defense and prosecution. Gonzales faces a 40-year prison term on the murder, to run concurrently with a 20-year prison term on the lesser charge.
Judge Joel Perez asked the teen if he was pleading guilty because he is guilty. Gonzales answered with a quiet "Yes sir."
Gonzales admitted that he was involved in a vicious attack on Bald Mountain Drive in west Bexar County on October 4, 2022.
Bexar County Sheriff investigators said Gonzales and another teen, who was 14 at the time, fired about 100 rounds into a home where two innocent women were shot.
Detectives said the teens shot up the wrong house, that their intended targets lived in the house next door.
Investigators said the 25-year-old owner of the home died in the attack and a 41-year-old guest in the home was shot in the leg.
At an earlier hearing on the matter, one detective who took the stand told a juvenile judge it was one of the worst attacks he had ever seen. He used the term "Swiss cheese" to describe the neighborhood where homes and cars ended up full up high powered rifle bullet holes.
The co-defendant in the case, who is now 16, has also been certified to stand trial as an adult.
The county clerk's website lists a trial date of January 12 in the 437th District Court for Rene Joe Gonzales.
His charge is murder and he is being held in the adult jail without the possibility of bond. It's unknown if Rene has also come to a plea agreement.
With regard to Isaac, his attorney Adam LaHood said the teen was ready to admit what he did was wrong and begin serving his time so that he could begin to put the incident behind him.
The judge did instruct court personnel to make sure Isaac is given credit for all the time he has been detained while awaiting trial.
There was also an affirmative finding in the case, meaning a deadly weapon was used. Judge Perez told the teen even after he completes any term, he will have a federal prohibition against having any firearms.
Formal sentencing for Isaac is set for next Tuesday but the time has not been confirmed.
Attorney LaHood said he hopes bad weather will not close the courthouse and delay the proceedings.