A shop owner is shot and killed
In the late hours of a Sunday night in San Antonio, Texas, the life of a beloved husband, father, and community businessman was brought to a sudden and violent end. Michale Lazich, a 39-year-old man known for his charm and generosity, was killed on February 21, 1988, in a crime that has remained unsolved for decades, leaving a family heartbroken and a community searching for answers.
Michale, who often went by Michael, was a man of diverse talents and experiences. A former international soccer star, he had also served his adopted country as a medic in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He became a proud United States citizen in 1979. Before purchasing the M & L Corner Ice House on the city's East Side, he worked for a contracting company. As a store owner, he was known for his kindness, often extending credit to neighbors in need. His wife, Leticia, remembered him as "very bright, colorful and charming." Together they were raising two sons and had built a life centered around their family and business.
The night he was killed, Michale and Leticia were closing their convenience store, located at the corner of South Mittman and Vine streets. At approximately 2:10 a.m., as they were locking up, three gunshots shattered the quiet of the early morning. Leticia, who was holding their dog on a leash, had her face turned away from her husband at the critical moment. When she looked back, she discovered Michale had been struck in the head by a bullet. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The San Antonio Police Department responded to the shooting, but the investigation was immediately met with challenges. There were no witnesses to the shooting itself. Leticia heard the shots but did not see where they came from or who fired them. Investigators at the time considered the possibility of a sniper attack. One person reported seeing a truck leaving the area shortly after the gunfire, but this lead did not develop further. With no clear motive and no suspects, the case quickly grew cold. Robbery was considered a possibility, but nothing was confirmed to have been taken.
For years, the investigation remained stagnant, a painful open wound for Michale's family. The convenience store he owned no longer stands on the corner where his life was taken, a physical reminder of the passage of time. Some who may have had information have moved away or passed on themselves. Despite the decades of silence, the San Antonio Police Department has not forgotten Michale Lazich. His homicide is an active cold case, handled by the department's Cold Case Squad.
In 2012, Michale's case was one of nine unsolved killings highlighted in a new campaign by the San Antonio Police Department and Crime Stoppers. His story was featured on digital billboards across the city in an effort to jog memories and generate new leads. A reward for information leading to an arrest or indictment was also offered. As of January 2017, however, the case remained unsolved, with no suspects or witnesses having come forward. The investigation continues, awaiting the one crucial piece of information that could bring justice to a man who served his country and his community.
The San Antonio Police Department continues to ask for the public's help in solving this decades-old homicide. Anyone with information about the shooting of Michale Lazich is urged to contact the SAPD Cold Case Tip Line at 210-207-7635 or 210-207-7401.
