Rosa Canales, a 57-year-old woman from San Antonio, Texas, tragically died on December 22, 2018. She was shot in the head by her son, Matthew Canales, who was 20 years old at the time. The incident occurred in their apartment at the Sundance Apartments on Gardendale. According to police reports, Matthew Canales was smoking methamphetamine with friends when he pulled out a gun and started playing around with it.
He accidentally fired the gun, and the bullet went through the wall and struck Rosa Canales while she was sleeping.
Matthew Canales initially called 911 to report a drive-by shooting, claiming he had returned fire. However, crime scene investigators found two spent shell casings inside the apartment, and it became clear that the shooting was accidental. Matthew Canales was later arrested and charged with manslaughter. He was indicted by a grand jury for discharging a deadly weapon in the direction of his mother.
The case drew significant media attention due to the tragic circumstances and the fact that Rosa Canales was not expected to survive. She was kept on life support until her daughter could arrive from Colorado. The incident highlighted the dangers of drug use and the potential for accidental harm, even within families.
Rosa Canales' death was a heartbreaking event that left her family and the community in mourning. The legal proceedings against Matthew Canales continued, with the focus on his responsibility for the accidental shooting. The case serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of drug abuse and the importance of handling firearms safely.
