The senseless shooting of a Marine veteran is sparking outrage in Houston. Now, disturbing details about what led to his tragic murder and the events that followed are coming to light, raising even more questions and concerns from his family.
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Anthony Sanders, 30, was picking up his fiancée and 10-month-old son from her work at the Houston Galleria, a popular shopping complex, on June 3, KTRK reported. But after learning two men were harassing his fiancée inside of an elevator, Sanders moved to confront them the parking garage of the complex.
From there, a verbal dispute broke out between Sanders and the two suspects, Marko Cinan, 23, and Justin Guzman, 22, according to the New York Post. It’s unclear how long the argument lasted, but when Sanders went to drive away from the men– with his son and partner in tow– he was allegedly “brake-checked” by the two suspects. After being blocked from exiting the parking garage, Sanders got out of his vehicle to once again confront the men. Then tragedy struck.
“They didn’t allow him to leave,” Sanders’ mother Ronyel said. “Brake checked him, put their car in reverse and tried to smack his car.” Sanders’ parents told KTRK they’re grateful both his fiancé and young son weren’t hurt. They continued saying Sanders saved his family’s life by stepping out of the car to confront the suspects.
But it was then that the suspects allegedly shot Sanders 10 times, killing him instantly before driving off. “We’re here for justice. Justice for Anthony,” his father, Frank Sanders, added. “Just to stand for what he stood for as a person. Also, to bring awareness to what’s going on in today’s society in Houston.”
Houston police reportedly stopped and detained Guzman, Cinan and a third person after the shooting, but they were soon released. Shockingly, this is not where the story of Sanders’ murder ends. Ronyel was scrolling on social media in the days following the killing and found a disturbing TikTok of Guzman joking about her son’s death.
In the video, the 22-year-old suspect was reportedly dancing to music as clips of news coverage of Sanders’ murder were depicted, according to KPRC. Ultimately, the video was shared with authorities.
Both suspects have since turned themselves in: Cinan on June 25 and Guzman five days later. Now, they have both been charged with murder, according to reports.
Guzman’s attorney claims his client was acting in self defense. “My client was defending his right to live. Somebody approached him not once, but twice, with a knife, but also possibly a gun. He tried to calm the situation.” Initial reports say Sanders was unarmed at the time of his death.
Now, both Guzman and Cinan are being held in jail. Guzman’s bond was set at $750,000. Cinan’s bond is $1 million.
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