A tragic incident in Houston led to the murder of 30-year-old Marine veteran Anthony Sanders, and a bizarre twist in the case came when a suspect posted a TikTok video of himself dancing with news clips about the crime in the background.
This video eventually helped lead to the arrest of Justin Joshua Guzman, 22, who, along with 23-year-old Marko Cinan, has been charged with murder in connection to Sanders’ death.
The Shooting and the Events Leading Up to It
On June 3, Anthony Sanders was shot and killed in the parking garage of the Galleria Mall in Houston, a crime that occurred in front of his fiancée and their toddler son. The shooting was preceded by an encounter involving Sanders’ fiancée and the two suspects, Guzman and Cinan, in an elevator.
After an exchange of words with the suspects, Sanders drove around the garage, attempting to find them. The situation escalated when Sanders confronted the suspects, leading to a confrontation in which Guzman and Cinan allegedly pulled out guns and opened fire on Sanders, shooting at least 14 times.
The TikTok Connection
The key piece of evidence that led to the suspects’ arrest was a TikTok video posted by Guzman. The video showed him dancing to rap music while news clips about the murder played in the background.
Sanders’ mother came across the video and provided it to the police, helping them link Guzman and Cinan to the crime. Although Guzman had around 50,000 followers on TikTok, the video has since been removed.
The Police Investigation and Arrests
After the shooting, Guzman and Cinan fled the scene in a Chrysler 300, but they were apprehended soon after. Police found spent cartridges in Guzman’s lap when he exited the vehicle, and the car had bullet holes from the shooting.
Initially, the suspects were let go but were later questioned by detectives. Guzman and Cinan claimed the shooting was in self-defense, saying that Sanders threatened them and had a gun and a knife, but no weapons were found on the victim.
The Victim’s Family and Their Fight for Justice
Anthony Sanders’ parents, both veterans, have expressed their grief and determination to seek justice for their son. His father, Frank Sanders, spoke out, calling the killing “uncalled for” and emphasizing the need for justice.
A GoFundMe page set up for Sanders described him as a “devoted father” who was killed while trying to protect his family.
Legal Proceedings
Guzman and Cinan now face murder charges for the killing. Guzman, who turned himself in, is being held on a $750,000 bond, while Cinan’s bond has been set at $1 million. The investigation continues, and the community waits for justice for Anthony Sanders and his family.
The murder of Anthony Sanders has left a family grieving, but the investigation, which was significantly aided by the TikTok video, is helping bring the suspects to justice.
The tragic incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of violent confrontations and the role social media can play in solving crimes. The fight for justice continues, and the Sanders family remains hopeful that they will get the answers they deserve.
