HOUSTON, TX — A Texas Marine veteran was gunned down in front of his infant son and fiancée in a mall parking garage — and the alleged shooter later posted about it on TikTok, where he had a sizable following.
The shocking incident unfolded earlier last month and ended with the death of 30-year-old Anthony Sanders, a proud Marine and devoted father.
The suspected gunman, 22-year-old Justin Guzman, surrendered to Houston Police this week.
Deadly Confrontation After Elevator Harassment
According to investigators, the fatal encounter began when Sanders’ fiancée was allegedly harassed in an elevator at the Galleria Mall by Guzman and his alleged accomplice, 23-year-old Marko Cinan.
Sanders reportedly confronted the two men over the incident. He then attempted to drive away from the situation with his partner and 10-month-old child when Guzman allegedly blocked his car and brake-checked him in the garage.
When Sanders stepped out of the vehicle, police say Guzman opened fire, shooting him ten times in front of his horrified family.
“We’re here for justice. Justice for Anthony and also to stand for what he stood for as a person,” said Frank Sanders, Anthony’s father.
Suspects Posted to TikTok After Shooting
Both Guzman and Cinan were briefly detained and released after the shooting on June 3. However, Cinan later turned himself in on June 25, and Guzman surrendered this Monday, nearly a month after the killing.
Guzman, a self-proclaimed influencer with over 50,000 TikTok followers, is known for posting lip-syncs and videos in which he pretends to fire finger guns — some featuring both suspects.
Attorneys for Guzman claim he acted in self-defense, alleging Sanders was armed with a knife. However, police say no weapon was found on or near Sanders.
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Bonds Set at $750,000 and $1 Million
Guzman is currently being held on $750,000 bond, while Cinan — who has a prior criminal record — is being held on $1 million bond.
The Sanders family is now left grieving a senseless loss, demanding justice for a man they say was “protecting his family.”
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