Inset: Leonardo Torres (Dallas County Jail). Background: The Balch Springs, Texas neighborhood where the alleged shooting took place (Google Maps).Â
A Texas teenager who got into an argument at a family baptism celebration allegedly shot the baby”s father after being confronted about firing a handgun at the party, police say.
Leonardo Asis Campos Torres, 19, was arrested in the early morning hours of July 27, after gunfire broke out at a family gathering.
According to an arrest affidavit obtained by Dallas-based Fox affiliate KDFW, Torres was reportedly confronted by 35-year-old Cristian Gabriel Montes over the younger man purportedly firing a handgun at Montes’ vehicle earlier that evening.
Police said Torres and Montes were related to each other. Both men were attending the big event to celebrate the baptism of Montes’ son.
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Several witnesses identified Torres as the alleged shooter, according to the affidavit. The two men were seen having a verbal altercation that escalated when Torres allegedly pulled a gun on Montes and fired, police claim.
After he was arrested at the scene, Torres allegedly confessed to the shooting after being read his Miranda rights but claimed he acted in self-defense by grabbing a 9mm handgun after Montes allegedly attacked him, police said.
Torres’ booking photo shows several bruises on the teen’s face, including two blackened eyes. The source of the defendant’s injuries is not currently clear.
At the scene of the crime, investigators found multiple spent shell casings on the ground near a Chevrolet Tahoe, according to police.
The affidavit included reports from medical staff at Baylor University Medical Center who treated Montes. Those medical proessionals said Montes was shot at least twice – one time in the chest and another time in the back. Torres may have allegedly shot Montes as he was walking or turning away, or while the alleged victim was falling, according to the police report.
Torres was booked into the Dallas County Jail after being arrested by Balch Springs police.
