On April 14, 2023, 54-year-old Larry Alan Wilson was tragically killed in San Antonio, Texas. He was found in the driver's seat of his white Ford Expedition around 11 p.m. in the 8100 block of Cross Creek Drive, near Austin Highway on the city's Northeast Side. Witnesses reported seeing a man standing on the passenger side of Wilson's vehicle, firing multiple shots before fleeing the scene with a backpack.
Investigations revealed that Wilson had been communicating with an individual named "Derek" on the dating app Grindr. They had arranged to meet at the Banyan Tree Apartments, with "Derek" indicating he would be wearing a red jacket. Wilson's last communication occurred just five minutes before police received the first call reporting the shooting. Fingerprint evidence found on a condom wrapper at the crime scene matched that of 22-year-old Jer Auntey Bernard Pleasant.
Further investigation linked Pleasant to another murder that occurred the following day. On April 15, 2023, 22-year-old Joseph Quinton West was found dead in his apartment with a gunshot wound to the back of his head. Similar to Wilson's case, West had communicated with Pleasant via Grindr before his death. Fingerprint evidence and ballistic tests connected Pleasant to both crime scenes. He was arrested and charged with two counts of murder, with a combined bond set at $700,000.
Wilson's family was devastated by his untimely death. His brother, Johnny Wilson, described Larry as a generous individual who was always willing to help others, despite his own health challenges. The family struggled to understand why someone would commit such a heinous act against him.
Larry Wilson was born on October 23, 1968, in Houston, Texas, to Everette B. Wilson and Patricia Ann Ellerbe. He is survived by his son, Joshua Joe Garcia-Wilson, his mother and stepfather, his stepmother, his brother, step-siblings, and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins. His obituary notes his love for spending time with his big brother and riding motorcycles.
The tragic events surrounding Larry Wilson's death highlight the potential dangers associated with online dating applications and underscore the importance of exercising caution when meeting individuals through such platforms.
