On November 8, 2024, 31-year-old Julie Marie Butcher, a mother of four and General Manager at Papa John's in New Braunfels, was tragically killed in a road rage incident in San Antonio, Texas. While driving on the Interstate 35 southbound access road near Rittiman Road around 9:30 p.m., she was shot in the head, causing her vehicle to roll over into a ditch. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation led to the arrest of 24-year-old Nicholas Hernandez, who was charged with her murder. An eyewitness reported seeing a small blue and silver sedan pull alongside Butcher's vehicle and open fire before speeding away. Surveillance footage corroborated this account, showing a vehicle matching that description fleeing the scene.
Two days after the incident, an anonymous tipster informed authorities that Hernandez had confessed to a close friend about the shooting, stating he was driving his Volkswagen Jetta at the time. Further investigation revealed that Hernandez had filed a robbery report with the San Antonio Police Department approximately 15 hours after Butcher's death, claiming his Beretta 9mm handgun, duffle bag, and an orange Spalding basketball were stolen. However, a search of his residence uncovered the supposedly stolen items, casting doubt on his robbery claim.
Additional evidence included phone records placing Hernandez in the vicinity of the shooting at the relevant time, and witness testimonies indicating he had discussed his involvement in a road rage incident resulting in a shooting. One witness reported that Hernandez asked him to dispose of two 9mm shell casings from his vehicle. Hernandez was arrested on November 27, 2024, and remains in custody at the Bexar County Jail.
Butcher's family expressed gratitude for the progress toward justice, stating, "While the pain of her loss is still with us, we take comfort in the dedication of law enforcement and the overwhelming support from our community." They continue to seek peace and healing as they mourn the loss of Julie, who was known for her dedication to her family and her work.
