SAN ANTONIO – Charges have been dropped against the cousin of the Uvalde mass shooter who was accused of threatening to shoot up an area school and a family member.
Nathan Cruz was charged with a felony charge of making a terroristic threat to the public and a misdemeanor charge of making a terroristic threat to a family member when he was arrested in August 2023.
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According to an arrest warrant, San Antonio police were dispatched to a mental health call in progress after a caller said Cruz planned “to do the same thing” as his cousin, who carried out a mass shooting at Uvalde’s Robb Elementary School in May 2022 that killed 19 students and two teachers.
The caller, a member of Cruz’s family, told police they live across the street from an elementary school and that Cruz had recently told another family member “school is starting soon,” according to the warrant.
The warrant did not state which school the family lived near.
The family member also told police she overheard a phone conversation between Cruz and an unidentified person during which Cruz “attempted to acquire an AR-15 through an illegal private sale,” according to the warrant.
Jail records indicate that Cruz never posted bond and was held in jail since his arrest.
In a news release Wednesday, the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office said it had no choice but to drop the charges due to a lack of witnesses.
The DA’s Office full statement is below:
The Bexar County Criminal District Attorney’s Office and the San Antonio Police Department collaborate closely to ensure that cases filed are thoroughly reviewed and prepared for prosecution. It is important to note that while the police diligently investigate and file cases based on probable cause, the District Attorney’s ability to pursue these cases in court relies heavily on the availability of witnesses and the strength of the evidence collected.
The District Attorney’s office plays the pivotal role in assessing the viability of cases for trial, considering the evidence presented and the testimony of witnesses. Without this essential cooperation and evidence, prosecuting cases effectively becomes challenging. Therefore, we emphasize the importance of community involvement and the willingness of witnesses to come forward, as their cooperation is critical in ensuring justice is served.
Both the Bexar County Criminal District Attorney’s Office and the San Antonio Police Department remain dedicated to the judicial process. We encourage anyone with information relevant to a case to cooperate fully with law enforcement and prosecutors, as your assistance is invaluable in achieving justice and ensuring safety for our community.