Two charged with murder in Lakehills shooting

BANDERA — An argument that turned sour may have sparked a beating and fatal shooting in Lakehills that landed a man and a woman behind bars, sheriff’s investigators said.

“We believe the nature of the incident involved illicit drug activity,” said Chief Deputy Matt King of the Bandera County Sheriff’s Office.

Linda Hernandez, 30, and Eddie Montesdeoca III, 33, both of San Antonio, are charged with murder in the death of Randy Knox, who was shot in the back and the armpit, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace Mike Towers set Montesdeoca’s bail at $250,000 on the murder charge, as well as $5,000 for unlawful possession of a gun and $5,000 for tampering with evidence.

Hernandez’s bail is set at $100,000 for the murder charge and $50,000 for tampering with evidence, according to court records.

The pair remained in the Bandera County Jail Wednesday.

Knox’s body was discovered July 30 by sheriff's Investigator Gerald Johnson in the 100 Block of Oak Cliff in Lakehills, a community nestled along Medina Lake.

According to arrest-warrant affidavits, video surveillance subsequently recovered by Johnson shows Montesdeoca arguing with Knox and then pulling out a handgun and pistol whipping him.

Knox ran away and was chased by the other man, who shot him in the back, sheriff’s investigators said. Knox tripped over a raised garden and both men fell to the ground, according to deputies.

Video evidence then shows Hernandez running up and hitting the victim with a pipe or a pole, according to the affidavits.

Montesdeoca and Hernandez loaded her truck with a firearm and other items, then drove away, according to court documents.

Knox had come to Lakehills with a female companion from California, King said.

“They’re wanderers,” the chief deputy added. “They were in Rocksprings, and a family member had a place out in Lakehills where they could stay. That’s where the incident happened.”

King says the suspects were detained by the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force in Bexar County and taken to the Bandera County Jail — Hernandez on July 30 and Montesdeoca on Aug. 3.

According to an affidavit, after he was detained Montesdeoca told investigators he discarded a shirt soaked with the victim’s blood.

For more details, see next week’s Bulletin.