Balch Springs Man Charged with Murder After Fatal Shooting at Baptism Party

BALCH SPRINGS, Texas—A 19-year-old man has been charged with murder after allegedly shooting and killing a family member at a baptism celebration on July 27.

Police say officers responded to a shooting at a home in the 3900 block of Peachtree Road shortly after 12:26 a.m. and found 35-year-old Cristian Gabriel Montes with gunshot wounds. He was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Witnesses identified the shooter as Leonardo Asis Campos-Torres, who was arrested at the scene. According to police, Campos and Montes were family members attending a large gathering for the baptism of Montes’ son.

The confrontation began after Montes confronted Campos about him allegedly firing a handgun near a parked vehicle earlier in the evening. The argument escalated into a physical fight, during which Campos allegedly shot Montes.

After his arrest, Campos admitted to the shooting, claiming self-defense after being physically assaulted. However, medical staff later confirmed that Montes sustained at least two gunshot wounds—one to his upper chest and one to his back. Police noted that this suggests Montes was shot more than once and possibly after turning away or falling.

According to Montes’ family members, Campos-Torres attempted to flee the scene after the shooting, but they stopped him.

Campos was charged with murder and is being held at the Dallas County jail on a $500,000 bond.