A Texas teenager is facing serious charges after police say he shot and wounded a relative during a baptism celebration that turned violent. Authorities said Leonardo Asis Campos Torres, 19, was arrested in the early hours of July 27 after gunfire erupted at a family gathering in Balch Springs.
According to an arrest affidavit obtained by KDFW, Torres was confronted by Cristian Gabriel Montes, 35, over claims that the teen had fired a handgun at Montes’ vehicle earlier in the evening. Both men, who are related, were attending the event celebrating the baptism of Montes’s young son.
Witnesses told investigators they saw the two arguing before Torres allegedly pulled out a gun and opened fire. Montes was struck multiple times. Police said Torres admitted to the shooting after being read his Miranda rights, but insisted he acted in self-defense.
He claimed Montes attacked him, prompting him to grab a 9mm handgun and fire. “I acted in self-defense,” Torres allegedly told officers. His booking photo shows noticeable injuries, including two black eyes and several bruises on his face. Authorities have not confirmed how he sustained them.
Investigators said they recovered multiple spent shell casings near a Chevrolet Tahoe parked outside the gathering. Medical staff at Baylor University Medical Center later confirmed that Montes had been shot at least twice—once in the chest and once in the back.
The police report noted that one of the shots may have struck Montes while he was walking or turning away, or possibly while he was falling. Torres was booked into the Dallas County Jail shortly after his arrest. As of now, no information has been released on his bond status or possible court date.
The shooting has shocked family members, who had gathered for what was meant to be a joyous occasion. What began as a baptism celebration ended with gunfire, a man in the hospital, and a teenager behind bars. Authorities said the investigation remains active as they work to determine the full circumstances of the shooting.