What started as a regular night out quickly spiraled into chaos in San Antonio. And now, two families are mourning while two suspects sit behind bars. Authorities say Joseph Amador and Lauren Machado-Juarez are at the center of a deadly shooting that turned a Texas hookah lounge into a crime scene. The details unfolding from that night are as chilling as they are heartbreaking.
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Fight At Hookah Lounge Ends In Capital Murder Charges
According to the San Antonio Police Department, 34-year-old Joseph Amador and 35-year-old Lauren Machado-Juarez have both been charged with capital murder. This comes after they allegedly opened fire on patrons seated on the outdoor patio of Myst Hookah + Ultra Lounge. Police say the pair had been inside the lounge late Tuesday night into early Wednesday morning when a fight broke out. Additionally, security escorted them out of the establishment. Just minutes later, investigators say the situation escalated in a deadly way.
Lights Off, Shots Fired Into Packed Patio
Authorities allege that about five minutes after being removed, a Ford Fusion — reportedly driven by Machado-Juarez with Amador in the passenger seat — returned to the scene with its lights off. According to an arrest affidavit, the vehicle passed the lounge before circling back, positioning the passenger side toward the patio. That’s when gunfire erupted. Witnesses reported hearing around 20 shots fired into the crowded outdoor area.
The victims were later identified as 27-year-old Derek Brown and 50-year-old Kyung Lee. A witness told local media that at first, the gunshots didn’t immediately register as danger — until they saw two people lying on the ground. Panic quickly set in as bystanders scrambled for safety.
Tracked By Plates, Cuffed Days Later
Investigators say they were able to track down the vehicle through its registration. Furthermore, they later spotted Amador and Machado-Juarez exiting an apartment and getting into the same car two days after the shooting. Police arrested both suspects and recovered a handgun from inside the vehicle. Authorities also revealed that at the time of their arrests, both individuals allegedly had outstanding warrants unrelated to the shooting.
The investigation remains ongoing as the community grapples with the violence that shattered what was supposed to be a night of music and socializing. Police have not released additional details about what sparked the initial altercation inside the lounge.
