BUDA, Texas — There will be no murder charges filed following a shooting in Buda that left a 17-year-old dead.
Hays County Criminal District Attorney Kelly Higgins made the announcement Thursday, more than three weeks after Erick Marin was shot and killed in a drainage area.
Investigators review two videos of the shooting that were filmed by people who were present. The videos revealed a relative of Marin’s went to the Shadow Creek neighborhood to fight a 21-year-old.
During the fight, Marin pulled out a gun and started shooting at the 21-year-old. A teenager in the opposite group pulled out a gun and returned fire. The 21-year-old then grabbed that gun and killed Marin.
The District Attorney’s Office reviewed all the footage and determined Marin was the first person to pull out and fire his gun, concluding that the shooting was justified under Texas laws related to self-defense and defense of a third person.
A grand jury agreed and voted to no-bill the case. However, the other people involved in the incident may still face charges related to conduct.
Marin’s mother opens up after losing her son
Anna Mendivil said she shared a bond with Marin that made it easy for her to imagine growing older with her loyal son.
“I always said when I get old, I was going to live with him,” Mendivil told KVUE.
Mendivil works as a cosmetologist and said her son wanted no one else cutting his hair besides her. But she ended up giving Marin his very last haircut.
As she grieves, she promises to return his loyalty.
“They left my baby there … For hours,” Mendivil said. “I’m always gonna love him no matter what. He’s always going to be in my heart.”