A phone call from a man on San Antonio’s Southeast Side prompted police to launch a homicide probe after officers say Aquiminee Crawford, 26, told them where to find his uncle, Derrick Crawford, 52. The body was discovered in a backyard recycling bin at a home on Sterling Street near Martin Luther King Drive, and investigators recovered a firearm at the scene. San Antonio Police Department officers say the death is being treated as a murder and that key questions remain about timing and motive.

Police say Aquiminee waited more than a week before contacting SAPD and confessing to the killing. When officers followed his directions Sunday, they found Derrick’s body wrapped in black plastic garbage bags inside a recycle bin in the yard. Inside the house, investigators also recovered a gun believed to be the weapon used in the shooting.

Official reports place the fatal shooting on May 9, meaning the body remained undiscovered for several days before the call. Investigators are working to confirm the exact sequence of events that led to the delay between the May 9 incident and the later report to police. That gap has become a central focus as detectives try to establish timeline and potential witnesses.

The charging document recounts friction between the two men and says an argument erupted on the day of the shooting. Aquiminee told police he and his uncle had ongoing tension, and that the dispute escalated until violence erupted. He told investigators he “blacked out” after his uncle degraded him by calling him a name, then shot him five times.

Authorities said at least two of the rounds struck Derrick in his chest and head, injuries that investigators say were immediately life-threatening. The recovered firearm is being processed for forensic evidence, and detectives hope forensic timing will help narrow exactly when the victim died. Ballistics and other evidence will play a key role as the case moves through the criminal justice system.

The affidavit also notes that the suspect complained about frequent borrowing and said Derrick took most of his money by repeatedly asking for cash. That account of money troubles is part of the motive investigators are exploring, though detectives caution that motive findings are preliminary until all evidence is reviewed. Friends and family dynamics will be checked to see if other disputes or patterns emerged over time.

Investigators questioned a woman who lives in the home where the body was found; she told officers she was not aware of the murder. She did say she had been searching for the victim for about a week, suggesting neighbors or household members had noticed his absence. Officers have not released her name and say she is a person of interest only as investigators piece the timeline together.

Neighbors in the area reacted with unease when news of the discovery spread, and one neighbor said he had a feeling something was wrong after noticing a foul odor. That resident spoke off-camera to reporters, describing the unsettling smell that ultimately brought attention to the property. Community members on Sterling Street say the incident has raised concerns about safety and communication between residents and police.

KSAT 12 News attempted to speak with a woman at the home Tuesday morning, but she ignored questions and closed her door, leaving many local residents with unanswered questions. Police have asked anyone with information to contact SAPD and have reiterated that tips can help clarify disputed details. Detectives are canvassing the neighborhood and following leads to identify anyone who might have seen or heard anything around May 9.

SAPD investigators are treating the death as a homicide while working to corroborate the nephew’s account and to determine whether other parties were involved. Forensic teams are analyzing the scene, the firearm, and any physical evidence recovered from the home and the surrounding yard. Officers are also reviewing any surveillance footage and cellphone records that could place people at the scene during the relevant timeframe.

Family members and neighbors are left to sort through grief and confusion as the investigation continues, and local leaders say support services are available for residents affected by violent crime. Detectives emphasize that arrests and charges depend on a careful review of all evidence, witness statements, and lab results. The Crawford family name is central to the case, and police say they will update the public as significant developments occur.

As the probe moves forward, SAPD asks anyone with information to reach out and help bring clarity to what investigators describe as a troubling and tragic case. The department will continue to process evidence and interview witnesses until they can form a complete picture of what led to the shooting in the East Side neighborhood. For now, Sterling Street remains the focal point of an investigation that has shaken a small corner of San Antonio.