2 youths arrested in connection with a case of an elderly woman who was killed by a stray bullet in the city center

SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio police have arrested two teenagers in connection with the killing of an 80-year-old woman who was caught in the crossfire of a shooting in downtown San Antonio in early May.

Jacob Rios, 19, and an unidentified 16-year-old boy were charged with murder, San Antonio Police Chief William McManus said.

On May 26, around 10 p.m., officers responded to the 600 block of East César E. Chávez Boulevard after receiving calls about a shooting.

Upon arrival, 80-year-old Heidi Silkworth, an innocent bystander who had just attended a graduation ceremony at the Alamodome, was found with a gunshot wound to the head, McManus said.

McManus said the shooting occurred when Rios and the 16-year-old male were robbing another person. The victim of the robbery was armed and shot at Rios and the 16-year-old male, police said.

Rios and the 16-year-old male returned fire while running from the robbery victim, SAPD said. During the exchange of gunfire, Silkworth, a passenger in a passing SUV, was shot, McManus said.

Another person believed to be involved in the shooting was seriously injured in the shooting. It is not known if it was Rios, the 16-year-old boy, or the robbery victim.

McManus said investigators used a variety of investigative techniques to identify Rios and the 16-year-old boy as suspects in Silkworth’s shooting death. After developing reasonable suspicion, warrants were issued for their arrests.

The SAPD’s Street Crime Unit and Covert Unit began searching for Rios and the 16-year-old boy. They were both located on the South Side and were arrested without incident Saturday night, McManus said.

McManus said Rios and the 16-year-old could face additional charges in the future.