San Antonio Father Shoots Armed Teen Andrew Thomas Herrera at Popeyes; Herrera’s Mother Cynthia Ruiz Seeks Answers
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS — A routine visit to Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen turned deadly when 19-year-old Andrew Thomas Herrera attempted an armed robbery, pointing a gun at a customer’s children. The protective father, a licensed concealed carrier, responded swiftly and fatally shot Herrera five times, preventing harm to his family.
In the weeks following the shooting, Herrera’s mother, Cynthia Ruiz, has spoken out, grappling with her grief and the circumstances of her son’s death. Holding a photo of Andrew, Ruiz directed a poignant question to the father who shot her son:
“Why shoot him four more times? Why did he shoot him five times?”
Ruiz expressed understanding of the father’s instinct to defend his children but remains troubled by the multiple shots fired. She told KSAT:
“I get it. He was protecting his kids. I understand that. But five shots? That’s what I don’t understand.”
Cynthia revealed that Andrew had battled mental health issues, having been diagnosed with schizophrenia in 2016 and bipolar disorder during childhood. She explained that he stopped taking his medications about three weeks before the incident, struggling with his condition.
“He told me, ‘What is life? Being on medicine all the time and I’m sleeping? I’m missing life,’” Ruiz shared.
Though she acknowledged that her son deserved consequences, she lamented his death:
“Andrew was who he was. I’m not making excuses. Did my son deserve to be punished? Yes, he did. But I wish he wasn’t killed.”
Authorities confirmed that Herrera may have been involved in several prior robberies, but no charges will be filed against the father who defended his family. San Antonio Police Department representatives emphasized that Texas law permits using deadly force when there is fear for life or property.
“Here in Texas, if you’re in fear of loss of life, loss of property, you have a right to defend yourself,” a spokesperson stated.
The multiple gunshots were necessary to neutralize the threat Andrew posed, especially since he was actively threatening children. This incident underscores the grave consequences of Herrera’s choices and the critical role of lawful self-defense.
While Cynthia Ruiz mourns her son’s loss, the tragedy stands as a stark reminder of the dangers when violence escalates — and of the difficult decisions a parent must make to protect their own children.