Police in San Antonio are asking for help after a deadly March 21 shooting at the Avistar at the Oaks apartment complex on the North Side left 19-year-old Elijah Bernal dead. The incident happened in the 3900 block of Thousand Oaks Drive near Wetmore Road, and authorities say a witness saw a black vehicle “circling” the parking lot before people got out and opened fire. The San Antonio Police Department and Crime Stoppers are now pursuing tips and offering a reward as investigators piece together what happened.
Officers who responded to the scene found Elijah Bernal suffering from a gunshot wound and later pronounced him dead at the location. Police reports indicate one person shot Bernal in the head at close range, a detail that underscores how violent and personal this attack appears to have been. Detectives immediately began canvassing the area and collecting whatever evidence they could locate at the complex.
The shooting took place in the Avistar at the Oaks parking area, where neighbors describe a quiet apartment community now shaken by sudden violence. Witnesses told investigators they observed a black vehicle “circling” the parking lot, then saw occupants get out and fire shots before the vehicle fled. That observation is a central lead investigators are following as they attempt to identify the vehicle and its occupants.
Crime Stoppers confirmed the black vehicle was seen leaving the complex after the shooting, and that sighting is now part of the public appeal for information. Authorities have asked anyone who saw unusual activity that night or anyone who recognizes the vehicle to come forward. Surveillance footage from nearby businesses and homes could be critical, and police are urging residents to check any cameras for footage from March 21.
The San Antonio Police Department is treating the case as an active homicide investigation and is asking for community cooperation without putting witnesses at risk. Crime Stoppers may pay up to $5,000 for tips that lead to felony arrests in the case, an incentive meant to move information into the hands of investigators quickly. Tipsters can remain anonymous, which officials emphasize as a way to help without exposing oneself to potential danger.
People with information can call Crime Stoppers at 210-224-STOP or text “Tip 127 plus your tip” to CRIMES (274637). There is also the P3 Tips app, which provides another anonymous channel for submitting information, photos, or video. Authorities say even a small detail—a partial plate number, a distinctive bumper sticker, or the time a car passed the complex—could break the case open.
Neighbors describe a community rattled by the loss but determined to see justice for Bernal and safety restored to the block. Apartment managers and residents say they want answers and are cooperating with law enforcement by sharing access to the property and any video they might have. Detectives have indicated they will be following every credible lead, from tips to physical evidence recovered around the scene.
San Antonio police are asking anyone who was in the 3900 block of Thousand Oaks Drive around March 21 to think back to anything out of the ordinary. Even if a person thinks a detail is insignificant, investigators urge them to report it, because small pieces often fit together to form a bigger picture. The department is also reminding residents of how to preserve potential evidence, such as saving video clips and noting exact times and locations of observations.
Local law enforcement has not released any names of suspects and cautioned the public against speculation while the investigation is ongoing. Officials continue to gather witness statements, process the scene for forensic clues, and review video from nearby sources. The priority remains identifying those responsible and ensuring they are held accountable through the criminal justice system.
Crime Stoppers and SAPD stress that anonymity and safety are available to anyone who wants to help, and that tips have led to arrests in past cases. Public assistance can accelerate the timeline for solving violent crimes, and authorities say community involvement is often the difference between a cold case and a closed case. The reward remains available to encourage people to come forward without fear of retribution.
For those unsure how to report, officials recommend calling Crime Stoppers at the listed number, texting the tip line, or using the P3 Tips app to provide photos, videos, or descriptive details. Police ask that tipsters include as much specific information as possible, such as descriptions of vehicles, clothing, or exact times, so detectives can follow up quickly. With cooperation from witnesses and timely information, investigators hope to identify and arrest the person or people responsible for Elijah Bernal’s death.
