A tragic shooting in Houston has led to the deaths of Anthony Sanders, a Marine veteran and father, after he was shot on June 3. Marko Cinan, 23, and Justin Guzman, 22, now face charges in connection with the fatal shooting. Guzman turned himself in on June 30, weeks after Cinan was arrested and charged with murder in the incident.
Details of the Shooting
The fatal shooting occurred around 5 p.m. at the Houston Galleria parking garage. According to police, Sanders was shot multiple times after an argument with the two men. He was rushed to Ben Taub General Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Sanders was reportedly with his fiancée and young son at the time of the incident.
According to court records, the suspects and Sanders were involved in a dispute regarding Sanders’ fiancée. After an argument, Sanders tried to leave the parking garage, but the two men allegedly blocked his car. When Sanders exited his vehicle to confront them, the men shot him 10 times.
Guzman Turns Himself In
Guzman, who had been identified as one of the suspects, turned himself in on June 30. He faces a murder charge with a bond set at $750,000. Guzman’s court date is set for July 9, the same day Cinan is scheduled for his hearing. Cinan’s bond is set at $1,000,000.
The TikTok Connection
In a disturbing twist, TikTok videos allegedly featuring Guzman surfaced, showing him dancing and sharing news clips of Sanders’ killing. Guzman, who has over 50,000 followers on the platform, has sparked outrage from Sanders’ family, who reportedly sent these videos to prosecutors. The videos add another layer of complexity to the case, showing the suspect’s seemingly carefree attitude in the wake of a deadly altercation.
Self-Defense Claim
Guzman’s attorney, Romy Kaplan, defended his client in a statement, claiming that Guzman acted in self-defense. Kaplan argued that Sanders attempted to confront Guzman and his group, allegedly armed with a knife and a gun, before Guzman fired. However, court records reveal that Sanders was unarmed at the time of the shooting.
Family’s Call for Justice
Sanders’ family has expressed heartbreak over the loss. His mother, Ronyel Sanders, shared that she was on the phone with her son during the shooting and that he died protecting his fiancée and son. His father, Frank Sanders, called for justice, saying, “We are here for justice, just for Anthony, and also just to stand for what he stood for as a person.”
A GoFundMe page was created in honor of Sanders, highlighting his role as a devoted father and beloved fiancé. The page notes that Sanders’ greatest joy was his baby boy and fiancée, Selena.
The tragic death of Anthony Sanders has sparked widespread attention, both for the circumstances surrounding the shooting and the subsequent social media activity of the suspect. The family of the victim is now fighting for justice and raising awareness about the case. As the legal process moves forward, both Guzman and Cinan face serious charges, and Sanders’ loved ones continue to call for accountability.
