The FBI today arrested an east side drug dealer who investigators say was a key player in the murder of a four year old boy in a drive by shooting on Hub Street on the city's east side last week, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
Charles Lee Bethany, 36, is charged with federal narcotics violations.
Federal investigators say Bethany was the target of a drive by shooting on Spriggsdale Street on the east side earlier in the afternoon before the four year old was shot on Hub Street that evening. Nobody was hurt in that shooting, which occurred at a business where Bethany is known to hang out.
They say a surveillance team saw a group of individuals leave Bethany's home on J Street 12 minutes before the drive by shooting at the home on Hub Street, and returned to the J Street location 'moments after the shooting.'
The four year old was shot in the head and killed. His mother was shot in the leg. The intended target of the shooting, presumably a person who had shot at Bethany earlier in the evening, was not at home.
Police had indicated that the gunmen in the shooting of the four year old were driving two cars and were seen to leave from and return to Bethany's home.
The arrest affidavit indicates the shooting at the home of the four year old was retaliation for the attempted shooting of Bethany.
The shooting of the little boy focused attention on the spiraling problem of violent crime in some San Antonio neighborhoods.
Bethany has not been charged in the murder of the four year old, but the U.S. Attorney says the FBI, San Antonio Police and the District Attorney's office are continuing to pursue leads 'to end the senseless shootings in San Antonio.'