In Texas, a 17-year-old suspect accused of a deadly shooting has been apprehended after brazenly challenging law enforcement officers on social media. Isaac Gonzales, alongside an unidentified 15-year-old accomplice, allegedly shot over 100 bullets into a residence, tragically ending the life of an innocent 25-year-old woman, Novita Brazil, and injuring another.
Gonzales, who faces charges of murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, had previously severed his ankle monitor, showcasing his defiance to law enforcement. Adding to his audacity, he had recently taken to social media, essentially daring the gang unit to apprehend him. Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar, during a press briefing, commented on Gonzales’ brazen attitude, noting how the young man seemed sure of his ability to manipulate the legal system to his advantage.
The tragic event occurred past midnight on October 5, 2022, when Brazil was engrossed in her studies at her San Antonio home. Authorities believe that Gonzales and his accomplice mistakenly targeted Brazil’s residence, thinking it belonged to gang members who had previously fired at them. As a result, an innocent student lost her life, and a 41-year-old woman, in town for a Spurs game and renting a room nearby, sustained injuries.
After the shooting, the duo made a hasty escape in a stolen KIA vehicle. Law enforcement promptly located them, leading to a high-speed chase during which the suspects discarded multiple firearms, including an assault-style rifle. Although both were eventually arrested and placed under electronic monitoring, they subsequently managed to remove their GPS-enabled ankle bracelets.
What adds a bizarre twist to this grim tale is the duo’s interaction with social media during their evasive maneuvers. While evading capture, the 15-year-old was livestreaming the pursuit on Instagram. Gonzales too, was engaged in a Facebook Live session during his arrest, even informing someone on a call about his imminent capture. Sheriff Salazar expressed his dismay at the suspects’ nonchalant attitude, emphasizing the gravity of their crimes and the loss of a young life.
Novita Brazil’s GoFundMe page paints a poignant picture of her. Originally from Indonesia, she had been residing in San Antonio with her husband, a military serviceman, for three years. Described as “kind, selfless, and with a heart of gold”, Brazil’s untimely death is an irreplaceable loss to her loved ones.