Two Texas families want justice for their loved ones brutally killed in late December. Savanah Soto, 18, and Matthew Guerra, 22, died from apparent gunshot wounds during an alleged drug deal gone wrong. Soto was reportedly supposed to report to the hospital on December 22 to give birth to her son Fabian but never showed up. Her family feared the worst.
On December 26, investigators discovered the bodies of the pregnant teen and her boyfriend in a car outside of a San Antonio apartment complex. Police arrested Christopher Preciado, 19, and his dad, Ramon Preciado, 53, in connection with the deaths. Now, Soto and Guerra’s families want the accused killers to face the death penalty.
More from CafeMom: Pregnant Mom & Unborn Baby Killed in Car Crash Caused by Teen Fleeing Cops
Soto and Guerra allegedly approached Christopher Preciado for a drug deal.
Christopher Preciado told investigators the pregnant teen and her boyfriend arrived at his apartment on December 22 to sell him marijuana, the New York Post reported. While they were there, Christopher Preciado alleged Guerra pulled out a gun, and an altercation ensued. The suspect claims he shot the victims in self-defense.
The victims’ wounds reportedly didn’t fit his story.
Christopher Preciado’s story didn’t add up, per the Post. Although he claimed he was protecting himself, the victims’ wounds reportedly appeared intentional.
According to the Bexar County medical examiner, KSAT reported, both Soto and Guerra died from gunshot wounds to the head that were deemed “homicide.”
Shortly after discovering the bodies, police began to search for the suspects.
San Antonio Police released video footage of the alleged crime scene, hoping to identify the suspects. In the days following the discovery of the bodies, investigators reportedly gathered enough evidence to determine Christopher Preciado and Ramon Preciado were suspects.
When police arrived at their home, the elder Preciado reportedly knew why they were there and cooperated with police, according to Fox 26.
The father and son allegedly worked together.
Through interviews with police, per KSAT, investigators determined that Christopher Preciado allegedly acted alone in the killings and his father helped him to conceal the bodies. The teen reportedly had no criminal history, but the father had been involved in some previous criminal activity, KSAT reported.
The shooting had a lot of people on edge as police searched for suspects.
“It was kind of crazy ‘cause it was right by us and I was thinking, ‘Are we even safe?” neighbor Esmeralda Ramirez told KSAT. “(An) innocent lady, the baby. Wasn’t even born yet.”
More from CafeMom: Mom Who Lost 15-Year-Old Girl to Drug Overdose Becomes Friends With Mother of Her Supplier
The Soto and Guerra families want the suspects to pay for their crimes.
Gabriel Guerra, Matthew Guerra’s father, told KENS 5 his son had dreams for his future and his life with Savanah and Fabian. He added that for three lives to be lost over marijuana is senseless. He wants those responsible to be held accountable.
“To me, there is no other option that would be considered justice if we didn’t go for the death penalty,” Guerra said.
Jordan Corona, Soto’s sister, said the pain is unfathomable. “Nothing is going to bring my sister back. Nothing is going to fix the heartaches that we’re having to go through,” she said via the news outlet.
KENS 5 reported the district attorney said Thursday that it is too soon to determine whether prosecutors will seek capital punishment, but it is not off the table.
Christopher Preciado was charged with capital murder and abuse of a corpse and is being held on a $2 million bail. Ramon Preciado was charged with abuse of a corpse and is being held on a $600,000 bond, according to KSAT.
