Ernest Eman Franks Jr., a 40-year-old African American male, tragically lost his life on September 9, 2021, in San Antonio, Texas. The incident occurred in a parking lot located in the 200 block of N. New Braunfels Avenue, near Gibbs Street. Franks was standing in the parking lot when a red Dodge Grand Caravan approached, and an individual inside the vehicle opened fire.
Franks sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was transported to Brooke Army Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries.
The investigation into Franks' death revealed that the shooter used an AR-15 rifle, as indicated by a spent shell casing recovered at the scene. Surveillance footage captured the vehicle but did not provide a clear view of the shooter's face. Witnesses provided inconsistent statements, complicating the investigation. However, family members, tipsters, and informants provided crucial information that led to the identification of a suspect, Terrance Dwayne Reed, a 34-year-old African American male. Reed and Franks were known to have a prior history, and the female victim, who was also injured in the shooting, confirmed seeing both men drive the van before the incident.
Reed was apprehended by San Antonio police officers and U.S. Marshals Service agents after an anonymous caller reported his whereabouts. During his police interview, Reed denied involvement in the shooting but admitted to driving the Caravan. While alone in the interview room, Reed made multiple phone calls instructing individuals to dispose of firearms and other weapons. He also asked his girlfriend to lie to the police and provide a false alibi, claiming they were in South Padre Island together at the time of the shooting. Reed was charged with murder and aggravated assault and was held on a $350,000 bond.
The case against Reed is ongoing, with law enforcement continuing to gather evidence and build their case. The tragic loss of Ernest Eman Franks Jr. has left a profound impact on his family and the community, as they seek justice for his untimely death.
