Anthony Sanders was fatally shot in a Galleria garage dispute allegedly over comments about his fiancée.
HOUSTON — The attorney for one of two suspects charged in the fatal shooting of a Marine veteran at the Galleria is claiming his client acted in self-defense during the June 3 confrontation that left 30-year-old Anthony Sanders dead.
Justin Guzman’s defense attorney, Romy Kaplan, told reporters that Sanders was the aggressor in the incident that occurred inside the Orange parking garage. According to court documents, Sanders was attempting to confront three men about something they had said to his fiancée in an elevator when the deadly encounter unfolded.
The confrontation moved to the parking lot where words were exchanged before two of the men opened fire, shooting Sanders several times and killing him. Kaplan claims Guzman and his friends were trying to leave when Sanders continued to pursue them.
“The complainant was riding their rear bumper, not driving away, continuing the situation and continuing to provoke the situation that they’re dealing with,” Kaplan said.
The defense attorney characterized the case as clear-cut self-defense, despite the fatal outcome.
“It’s a clear cut case of self defense. What happened shouldn’t have happened. There’s no doubt about that somebody lost their life, but Justin Guzman did not provoke this encounter,” Kaplan stated.
Kaplan also claims Sanders displayed a weapon during the confrontation, though investigators say Sanders was not armed at the time of the shooting.
Guzman is currently being held on $750,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court tomorrow. The second suspect arrested in connection with the case, Marko Cinan, is being held on $1 million bond.