On Sunday, December 7, 2025, officers in Laredo responded to a shooting near the 300 block of North Meadow Avenue shortly after 1 a.m. Two men were found with gunshot wounds. Anthony Joseph Sarmiento, 35, was pronounced dead at the scene; a second victim, 41-year-old John Eric Sotelo, survived with serious injuries and was taken to a local hospital.

The Laredo Police Department opened a homicide investigation and quickly identified a person of interest. By Monday, December 8, 2025, investigators had obtained a murder warrant and 24-year-old Robert Manuel Hinojosa surrendered to police. Hinojosa was arrested and charged with murder in connection with Sarmiento’s death; police said he also faced additional charges related to the shooting of Sotelo. Motive and other circumstances have not been released.

Sarmiento was remembered locally as spirited and generous, a United High School graduate known by nicknames such as Swisha and Beaver, and for his interest in cars and his Corvette. His family honored him by collecting toys and clothing for a children’s home. Does anyone have information about that night or knew Sarmiento and can help investigators?