Maria Antonia Calvillo, a 50-year-old Hispanic woman, was tragically shot and killed on September 11, 2021, in San Antonio, Texas. Maria was returning home from her overnight shift at the Toyota plant when she was gunned down in the front yard of a home on Kayton Avenue, just down the street from where she lived. Her daughter, Jessica Calvillo, and her niece, Maria Ortega, described her as a hardworking, humorous, and loving individual who was dedicated to her family and her job.
Maria also cleaned houses on the side to support her family.
The incident occurred early in the morning, and Maria was found with her lunch bag and sneakers, indicating she was coming back from work. The police detained a person at the scene, but initially did not release further details about the suspect or any charges filed. The family was left in shock and grief, seeking justice for Maria and hoping that the responsible individual would turn themselves in.
The investigation revealed that Morgan Goode, the person detained at the scene, was responsible for Maria's death. Goode, who lived near the location of the shooting, claimed he thought Maria was trying to steal his mother's vehicle when he saw her walking by with a bag in her hand. Acting rashly, Goode grabbed a gun and shot Maria. In court, Goode expressed regret for his actions, stating he wished he had not acted so impulsively.
Goode was initially charged with murder but later accepted an open plea deal on the lesser charge of manslaughter. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison, with eligibility for parole after serving half of his sentence. During the victim impact statements, Jessica Calvillo expressed her frustration with the sentence, feeling that it was not enough for the life that was taken away. She emphasized the impact of her mother's death on their family and the loss of a beautiful life.
Maria's family continues to mourn her loss and seeks to raise awareness about the importance of cherishing every moment with loved ones. They hope that other families can learn from their devastating experience and appreciate the time they have with their family members.