A tragic confrontation outside the Galleria Mall in Houston turned deadly when Marine veteran Anthony Sanders, 30, was gunned down by two men after standing up for his fiancée, who had been disrespected by the suspects. The incident, which occurred on June 3, left Sanders dead and his young son and fiancée traumatized.
The Incident Leading to the Shooting
According to police reports, Sanders’ fiancée had been leaving work and entered an elevator with a group of men, including the suspects, Marko Cinan, 23, and Justin Joshua Guzman, 22. The men allegedly made disrespectful comments to her, with one of them calling her a “stupid ugly b—” after she ignored their question.
The fiancée immediately told Sanders about the incident, prompting him to drive around the parking garage with their child in tow to find the men.
Once he located them, Sanders confronted the suspects. The exchange was brief, and both parties returned to their vehicles. However, things escalated when the driver of the Chrysler 300, in which the suspects were passengers, brake-checked Sanders as he exited the garage.
This led to a verbal altercation in which Guzman allegedly warned Sanders, saying, “You don’t want to mess with me.”
The Shooting
The situation quickly turned violent when Guzman and Cinan pulled out firearms and opened fire on Sanders, shooting at least 14 times. Sanders, who was rushed to the hospital after the shooting, was later pronounced dead. His fiancée and child were unharmed but left shaken by the horrifying scene.
The Aftermath and Suspects’ Arrest
After the shooting, Guzman and Cinan fled the scene, but police were able to apprehend them soon after. When Guzman stepped out of the vehicle, several spent cartridges fell off his lap, suggesting his involvement in the crime.
Additionally, the Chrysler 300 was found to have bullet holes from the suspects firing as they drove away from the scene.
Initially, both suspects were released as the investigation was ongoing. However, after further questioning, Guzman and Cinan claimed the shooting was in self-defense.
Guzman alleged that Sanders had followed them and threatened to harm them, even claiming that Sanders had a gun and knife. However, investigators found no weapons on Sanders’ body.
Community Reaction and Legal Proceedings
Anthony Sanders’ parents, both veterans, expressed their grief over the senseless loss of their son, emphasizing that the act was “uncalled for.” The shooting has also sparked a call for justice, with Sanders’ father, Frank Sanders, urging awareness of the growing violence in the community.
A GoFundMe campaign described Sanders as a “devoted father,” with family and friends mourning his untimely death.
Cinan was arrested on June 25, and Guzman turned himself in the following Monday. Cinan faces a $1 million bond, while Guzman’s bond is set at $750,000. Their next court date is scheduled for Wednesday.
