On August 12, 2023, 34-year-old Deanna Mason was fatally shot at a Valero gas station located on West Hildebrand Avenue near Blanco Road in San Antonio, Texas. Surveillance footage revealed that Mason and her boyfriend, 40-year-old Giovanni Pera Paschal, arrived together in the same vehicle. After parking, Mason exited the passenger side and began walking away. Paschal followed her, raised his hand in her direction, and Mason collapsed to the ground.
Witnesses corroborated that Paschal shot Mason before fleeing the scene in her vehicle.
Mason sustained gunshot wounds to the head and chest and was transported to a local hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries. The Bexar County Medical Examiner confirmed her death on August 13, 2023.
Following the incident, Paschal was apprehended on August 16, 2023, during a separate investigation. At the time of his arrest, he was found in possession of a 9mm handgun, which ballistic tests later matched to shell casings recovered at the crime scene. Paschal was charged with first-degree murder and held on a $150,000 bond.
In October 2024, Paschal pleaded guilty to the murder of Deanna Mason. During the sentencing hearing, Mason's family delivered emotional impact statements, expressing their grief and seeking justice for their loss. The presiding judge imposed the maximum sentence under the plea agreement, sentencing Paschal to 50 years in prison. He will be eligible for parole after serving half of his sentence.
Deanna Mason's tragic death has had a profound impact on her family and the San Antonio community. An online memorial was created in her honor, where loved ones have shared memories and lit candles to commemorate her life.
This case underscores the devastating consequences of domestic violence and highlights the importance of community awareness and intervention to prevent such tragedies in the future.
