Arnulfo Adrian "Arnie" Cortez, a 35-year-old man from San Antonio, Texas, was tragically shot and killed on December 29, 2020. He was driving home along Loop 410 on the city's Northwest side when he was caught in the crossfire of a random shooting. According to police reports, Kevin Perez, 33, had been arguing with his girlfriend and fired gunshots indiscriminately. One of those bullets struck Arnulfo, causing him to crash his vehicle into a utility pole and a rock wall.
The Bexar County Medical Examiner confirmed that Arnulfo died from multiple gunshot wounds.
Kevin Perez was arrested and charged with murder in connection to Arnulfo's death. The investigation revealed that Perez had a prior felony conviction and was not supposed to possess a firearm. Despite the serious charges, Perez eventually pleaded no contest to the murder. In September 2023, he received a 25-year prison sentence as part of a plea deal. Arnulfo's family expressed frustration and outrage over the sentence, feeling that justice was not served.
Arnulfo was known to his loved ones as a good man with a bright future. He had recently proposed to his girlfriend, Rubi Albarado, and was described as full of life and plans. His family, including his mother Dalia and his brother Arnold, mourned the loss of a beloved son and brother. They believe that Arnulfo left a lasting impact on those around him and deserve to be remembered for the light he brought into their lives.
The case highlighted issues with evidence handling by local police, which led to the plea deal being the best possible outcome for the prosecution. Despite the challenges, the family continues to seek justice and honor Arnulfo's memory.
