In a tragic and chilling turn of events, two Texas men, Justin Joshua Guzman and Marko Cinan, have been charged with murder following the shooting death of Anthony Sanders, a 30-year-old Marine veteran, in the parking garage of the Galleria Mall in Houston.
The incident occurred on June 3 and has been compounded by the disturbing revelation that Guzman posted a TikTok video of himself dancing to rap music while news reports about the slaying played in the background. This incident has sparked outrage and calls for justice from Sanders’ family and the community.
The Shooting Incident
According to police, the events leading to Sanders’ death began when his fiancée had a confrontation with Guzman and Cinan in an elevator at the mall. After she ignored a question from the men, one allegedly insulted her, calling her a “stupid ugly b—.”
She later informed Sanders of the exchange, and the two drove around the parking garage to confront the men. When they found Guzman and Cinan, a verbal altercation ensued before they returned to their vehicles.
As Sanders and the suspects were driving out of the garage, the suspects’ Chrysler 300 allegedly brake-checked Sanders’ car. The situation escalated quickly, and both cars pulled over.
Guzman reportedly tapped his bag, warning Sanders not to mess with him, before he and Cinan drew guns and opened fire. They shot Sanders at least 14 times before fleeing the scene.
Sanders’ fiancée screamed for help, and paramedics rushed him to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. His fiancée and their toddler son, who were in the car at the time, were unharmed. The suspects fled but were apprehended shortly after, with police finding spent cartridges falling from Guzman’s lap as he exited the car.
The TikTok Video and Social Media Fallout
In a bizarre and insensitive move, Guzman posted a TikTok video of himself dancing to rap music while news clips about Sanders’ death played in the background. The video was reportedly shared with police by Sanders’ mother, Ronyel Sanders, who came across it on social media.
The video was later removed, but it garnered significant attention, with many users criticizing the apparent lack of remorse. One user even commented, “This didn’t age well,” highlighting the irony of Guzman’s actions in light of the murder charges he now faces.
Guzman, who has about 50,000 followers on TikTok, appeared in several videos with Cinan, sometimes lip-syncing to rap songs, including one with the lyric, “I got locked in that cell and they ain’t let me out.” The video, and Guzman’s apparent indifference to the seriousness of the situation, have drawn widespread condemnation.
The Arrests and Legal Proceedings
Initially, Guzman and Cinan were allowed to go free, but detectives later spoke with them, and they both claimed the shooting was in self-defense. Guzman alleged that Sanders had threatened them, claiming that Sanders had a gun and a knife on him, although no weapons were found on Sanders’ body.
The conflicting accounts and the discovery of the TikTok video contributed to the eventual charges against the two men.
On June 25, Cinan was arrested, and Guzman turned himself in to police on June 26. Guzman is being held on a $750,000 bond, while Cinan’s bond has been set at $1 million.
The Impact on Sanders’ Family
Anthony Sanders’ parents, both veterans themselves, have spoken out about the loss of their son and their desire for justice. His father, Frank Sanders, expressed their grief, stating, “This was uncalled for,” and emphasized the need to raise awareness about the violence occurring in Houston.
Sanders was described by his family as a “devoted father,” and a GoFundMe page was set up to support his family during this difficult time.
“We’re here for justice, justice for Anthony and also to stand for what he stood for as a person, and also to bring awareness to what’s going on in today’s society here in Houston,” said Frank Sanders.
The Broader Implications
The case has highlighted the ongoing issues of violence in Houston and the disturbing indifference some individuals may show towards the consequences of their actions.
The TikTok video, in particular, underscores a troubling trend where social media platforms are used to mock serious and tragic events, further exacerbating the pain felt by victims’ families.
As the legal process unfolds, the community continues to rally behind Sanders’ family, demanding justice for the Marine veteran who was senselessly killed while protecting his family.
The murder of Anthony Sanders has shocked the Houston community, and the appalling behavior of one of the accused men, Justin Guzman, has only added to the tragedy.
The shooting, which was allegedly sparked by a minor confrontation, escalated into a senseless act of violence that left a family grieving and a community outraged.
As Guzman and Cinan face murder charges, the investigation continues, with Sanders’ family seeking justice for the man they remember as a dedicated father and protector.
