A Tragic Night That Began as a Simple Car Deal
What began as an ordinary attempt to purchase a vehicle turned into a night of violence, betrayal, and irreversible loss for two young families in San Antonio. On August 8, 2023, 19-year-old Ricardo De La Fuente and his cousin, Fernando Martinez, arrived for what they believed was a legitimate car sale. Instead, they walked into a carefully orchestrated setup by three teens determined to turn a routine transaction into a robbery. The meeting — arranged by 18-year-old Anthony Watson, Daquan Ruffin, and 18-year-old Dontrae Suarez — took a horrifying turn when the supposed sale unraveled into a confrontation marked by fear and desperation. What followed were moments of chaos that forever changed multiple lives and left a community shaken.
A Deadly Struggle for Survival
According to police and court records, the situation escalated when Watson and Ruffin attempted to steal the vehicle after being allowed to test drive it. Martinez recounted that during the attempted cash exchange, one of the men pulled out a pistol, turning what should have been a peaceful interaction into a life-or-death struggle. In an effort to defend himself and his cousin, Martinez fought for control of the gun, managing to shoot the driver in the arm before he was shot in the stomach while trying to escape. As the scene spiraled further out of control, De La Fuente acted in self-defense and shot Suarez, killing him. But before the cousins could flee or seek help, Watson turned the weapon on De La Fuente, fatally shooting him before fleeing the area. Martinez, gravely injured, was rushed to the hospital in critical condition, ultimately surviving after a long and difficult medical battle. Evidence left behind — Watson’s cellphone, spent shell casings, and Martinez’s testimony — helped investigators piece together the truth.
Justice Delivered, but Hearts Left Broken
Two years after that devastating night, justice arrived in a San Antonio courtroom. On December 8, 2025, Anthony Watson, now 18, was sentenced to 45 years in prison for the murder of Ricardo De La Fuente. State District Judge Joel Perez accepted Watson’s no-contest plea, dropping an aggravated robbery charge as part of the deal. While the sentence brought legal closure, it could not undo the devastation felt by the families involved. Ricardo De La Fuente, a young man with a future ahead of him, lost his life in a moment fueled by violence and betrayal. His family continues to mourn the son, relative, and friend they will never see again. Fernando Martinez carries both physical and emotional scars from the night he barely survived. Meanwhile, the case of Daquan Ruffin remains pending, leaving one more chapter yet to be closed. The tragedy stands as a heartbreaking reminder of how a single act of deceit can unravel into unimaginable loss, leaving families to navigate grief, trauma, and the long path toward healing.