Battered and Bloodied Teen Who Fatally Shot Father at Son’s Baptism Now Claims Self-Defense

A family baptism celebration in Balch Springs, Texas, ended in tragedy when 19-year-old Leonardo Asis Campos Torres fatally shot Cristian Gabriel Montes, 35, the father of the baptized child. The incident, which unfolded amid a heated argument and physical altercation, has sparked a complicated legal battle as Torres claims the shooting was in self-defense.

The Fatal Incident at a Baptism Party

The shooting occurred during a family gathering to celebrate the baptism of Montes’ son. According to witnesses and an arrest affidavit, tensions escalated after Torres allegedly fired a handgun earlier that evening near Montes’ parked vehicle. The confrontation quickly intensified into a physical fight between the two men.

Details of the Shooting

Witnesses identified Torres as the shooter who fired two shots, hitting Montes once in his upper chest and once in his back. Montes was rushed to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead. Investigators found several spent shell casings near a Chevrolet Tahoe, which may have been involved in the earlier shooting, signaling a volatile and chaotic scene.

Torres’ Self-Defense Claim

Following his arrest, Torres admitted to shooting Montes but insisted it was an act of self-defense. He claimed that Montes physically assaulted him first during the altercation, prompting him to brandish and fire a 9mm handgun. The arrest affidavit mentions visible injuries on Torres’ face; however, the cause of these injuries has not been fully clarified or addressed.

Legal Proceedings and Charges

Torres was arrested around midnight on July 27, 2025, and charged with murder. He is currently held at the Dallas County Jail on a $500,000 bond. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding both the shooting and the preceding events is ongoing. Authorities are assessing witness statements and physical evidence to determine all involved parties’ roles.

Community Impact and Response

The community in Balch Springs is grappling with the fallout from this unexpected tragedy at what should have been a joyous occasion. Neighbors and family members express shock and sadness over the fatal outcome of a celebration that was meant to mark a milestone in a young child’s life. The case also highlights pressing issues related to gun violence and conflict resolution within families.