Guillermo Bernal Gomez, a 32-year-old Hispanic male, was tragically killed on June 23, 2019, in Austin, Texas. He was found in the early hours of the morning at the Bainbridge Villas apartment complex with multiple gunshot wounds. The Austin Police Department quickly launched an investigation into his death, treating it as a homicide.
The investigation revealed that Guillermo had been involved in selling drugs and owed a substantial amount of money to various individuals.
Witnesses reported that he had been with Francisco Lopez and Evan Zanders shortly before his death. Zanders, who was initially arrested on an unrelated charge, confessed to police that Lopez had asked him to set up a fake drug deal to kill Guillermo. Zanders was subsequently charged with murder and pleaded guilty, receiving a 36-year sentence.
Francisco Lopez, identified as the driver in a surveillance video from a nearby McDonald's, was arrested in February 2020 and charged with Guillermo's murder. During his trial, Lopez claimed that Zanders was the one who shot Guillermo, but he was found guilty and sentenced to 28 years in prison. Lopez testified that he had not reported the shooting out of fear for his life and the lives of his family members.
The case brought significant attention to the South Austin community, with Guillermo's family seeking answers and justice. They held vigils and benefits to support his wife and six children, hoping that someone would come forward with information to help solve the case. Despite the challenges, the investigation and subsequent trials brought some closure to the family, although they continue to seek complete answers.
Guillermo Bernal Gomez's death remains a poignant reminder of the impact of violence and the importance of community support in seeking justice for victims and their families.
