San Antonio Man Sentenced to 45 Years for Murder of Tattoo Artist

Raymond Hernandez, 33, has been sentenced to 45 years in prison for the first-degree murder of Leonel Chavez, Jr. The sentencing was handed down by Judge Jennifer Pena in the 290th Criminal District Court following a conviction for a shooting that occurred several years ago.

The incident took place on April 2, 2021, at a residence on West Baetz Boulevard in San Antonio. Chavez, a 46-year-old tattoo artist, was performing a tattoo when a verbal dispute erupted between him and Hernandez. During the argument, Hernandez produced a firearm and shot Chavez, leaving the victim to collapse from his injuries.

Following the shooting, Hernandez fled the scene and was later captured on surveillance footage less than a mile away while still carrying the weapon. Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales stated that the conviction serves as a commitment to community safety and offender accountability.