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San Antonio man sentenced to 10 years in prison in friend’s fatal shooting

Joan Francisco Paulino entered plea in death of Michael Garcia-Sanchez

SAN ANTONIO – A man was sentenced to prison for shooting and killing his 19-year-old friend on the Northwest Side in 2021.

Joan Francisco Paulino, 22, was sentenced on Thursday to 10 years in prison for manslaughter. He was originally indicted for murder in the death of Michael Garcia-Sanchez, but he entered a plea deal on a lesser charge of manslaughter.

San Antonio police said that on Feb. 3, 2021, Paulino shot Garcia-Sanchez in the 9100 block of Roquefort Drive, not far from New Guilbeau Road and Loop 1604.

Upon arrival, officers found Garcia-Sanchez with a gunshot wound to the upper body. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Paulino was detained after the shooting because SAPD’s Eagle helicopter observed him in a car that left the scene. Paulino and two juveniles were in the car, and they drove to a nearby alley and returned to the scene.

A K9 officer later found a handgun in the alley, police said.

According to an arrest warrant affidavit, Paulino and Garcia-Sanchez were “long-time friends.”

Paulino originally told officers that someone pulled up next to them and shot Garcia-Sanchez. He later told his mother and Garcia-Sanchez’s mother that he shot him and tried to hide the gun, the affidavit states.

A motive was not listed in the affidavit.

Joan Francisco Paulino, 22, was sentenced on Thursday to 10 years in prison for manslaughter. (ksat)

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About the Authors
Rebecca Salinas headshot

Rebecca Salinas is the Digital Executive Producer at KSAT 12 News. A San Antonio native, Rebecca is an award-winning journalist who joined KSAT in 2019.

Erica Hernandez headshot

Erica Hernandez is an Emmy award-winning journalist with 15 years of experience in the broadcast news business. Erica has covered a wide array of stories all over Central and South Texas. She's currently the court reporter and cohost of the podcast Texas Crime Stories.

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