Dallas, TX – Police are searching for 26-year-old Arnold Sustaita Zapata, who has been identified as the main suspect in the murder of a Dallas father, Juvenal Antero, during a home invasion in December 2023. The killing occurred in front of Antero’s 4-year-old son and pregnant wife, who was expecting their second child after enduring two miscarriages, according to police and family accounts.
The Incident: Home Invasion Turns Deadly
According to the Dallas Police Department, officers were dispatched to Antero’s apartment in the Pleasant Grove area on December 30, 2023, around 2:40 p.m. after reports of a shooting. When they arrived, they found Antero suffering from gunshot wounds inside his home.
Authorities said the attack occurred when two men forced their way into the apartment, claiming they needed help. Antero attempted to defend his family using his own firearm but was fatally shot in the exchange.
His wife, Elizabel Cardenas, recalled the horrifying moments leading up to the attack.
“They were asking for help,” she told reporters. “They said they needed a plunger.”
When she went to open the door, the suspects barged inside, one of them pointing a gun directly at her son.
“He points the gun at my son,” Cardenas said. “My husband jumped in front of my son and took the bullet for my son. My husband was able to fire back, defend our family, defend my son.”
Despite being rushed to the hospital, Antero did not survive his injuries.
Investigation and Search for the Suspect
Detectives later identified Arnold Sustaita Zapata as the primary suspect in the shooting. Two additional accomplices, also believed to have been involved in the home invasion, remain unidentified and are being actively sought by law enforcement.
“It’s troubling because this happened inside his own residence in front of his wife and kid,” said Detective Michael Christian. “I need help identifying and bringing justice to this family.”
Police have since issued a capital murder warrant for Zapata, describing him as armed and dangerous. Investigators are urging anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact the Dallas Police Department immediately.
Authorities believe the motive may have been a planned robbery that escalated into a deadly confrontation when Antero tried to protect his family.
Family’s Heartbreaking Loss
Antero’s wife, Elizabel Cardenas, has spoken publicly about the devastating loss and the impact it has had on her and their son.
“I’ve suffered two miscarriages,” she told local media. “We’ve been trying for these couple of years. It finally happened — and now I have to welcome this new baby into the world without a father.”
She described how her husband’s final words were filled with fear and love.
“He said, ‘I don’t want to die,’” Cardenas recalled. “They hit me. They hit me. I’m going to die.”
Her 4-year-old son, who witnessed the attack, continues to struggle to understand what happened.
“My son keeps asking me, ‘When is my dad going to be alive again?’” she said. “Those are things no child should ever have to ask.”
Community Response and Police Appeal
The Dallas Police Department released a statement urging community members to come forward with any leads. They emphasized that the three suspects remain a threat to public safety until they are apprehended.
Local residents in Pleasant Grove have expressed shock and fear following the attack, calling for increased neighborhood security and stronger support for families of violent crime victims.
Detective Christian described Antero as a heroic father who made the ultimate sacrifice to save his family.
“He stood between a gun and his child,” Christian said. “That’s what a father does.”
Background and Legal Context
Under Texas law, capital murder charges apply when a killing occurs during the commission of another felony, such as robbery or burglary. If arrested and convicted, Zapata could face life imprisonment or the death penalty.
The Dallas County District Attorney’s Office is coordinating with local and federal agencies to locate Zapata and bring him to justice. Crime Stoppers is offering a reward for information leading to his arrest.
Ongoing Developments
Police continue to investigate whether Zapata and his alleged accomplices were connected to other home invasions in the Dallas area. Detectives are also analyzing forensic evidence collected from the crime scene, including shell casings and surveillance footage from nearby residences.
Cardenas said she is focusing on caring for her son and unborn child while hoping that justice will soon be served.
“I just want them to be caught,” she said. “My husband deserves justice.”
Conclusion
The search for Arnold Sustaita Zapata remains ongoing as Dallas authorities urge the public to assist in locating him. The murder of Juvenal Antero has left a family shattered and a community mourning a man remembered for his bravery and selflessness.
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