SHAVANO PARK, Texas – The man authorities say killed his elderly grandmother during a mental health call in Shavano Park has been identified after being arrested Wednesday.
Joseph Martin Finnegan, 27, was charged with murder after deputies found him at the home in what officials described as a bloody scene, according to the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office.
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Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar said deputies were called just before 5 p.m. to a home off Long Bow Road in Shavano Park after the victim requested help from the SMART (Specialized Multidisciplinary Response Team) mental health unit, reporting her grandson was experiencing a mental health crisis.
A deputy arriving from Lackland Air Force Base made contact with the victim earlier by text, but received no response. When the deputy reached the home around 5:30 p.m., he peered inside the home through a window and saw a man inside covered in blood.
Authorities say the suspect was taken into custody at gunpoint. Deputies also saw the victim inside the house from the doorway, laying on the floor covered in blood. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators believe she was stabbed or bludgeoned while deputies were responding to the call. Sheriff Salazar said the suspect had a known history with local law enforcement and was prone to “bouts of violence.”
The decision was made by Curtis Leeth, Shavano Park assistant city manager to turn over the investigation to the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office “in order to utilize all of their available resources.”
“Within minutes of my request, the Sherrif’s Office had over a dozen deputies on scene to include numerous Homicide Detectives, their mobile crime unit response vehicle with multiple technicians, including a Public Information Officer,” said Leeth in a statement.
The name of the victim is not being released at this time until the Bexar County Medical Examiner can make a positive identification.
“The hearts and prayers of every single member of my department along with the City of Shavano Park, extend our sympathies for the family of the victim,” said Leeth.
The investigation is ongoing.