In a tragic incident that has left a community in shock, Texas law enforcement is actively pursuing a suspect linked to the brutal murder of a Dallas father. The victim, Juvenal Antero, was reportedly killed in his apartment during a home invasion, an attack witnessed by his 4-year-old son and pregnant wife. Antero’s courageous attempt to shield his family from the perpetrators has been highlighted in the ongoing investigation.

Recounting the harrowing ordeal to ABC affiliate WFAA, Antero’s wife, Elizabel Cardenas, described his last moments. She vividly recalled her husband’s pleas, “I don’t want to die,” after he was shot by Arnold Sustaita Zapata and his accomplices during the December 2023 attack. Cardenas recounted Antero’s distressing words, “They hit me. They hit me. I’m going to die,” underscoring the violence of the encounter.

The Dallas Police Department made a public appeal on Sunday, revealing that 26-year-old Zapata has been identified as a suspect in the case and is wanted for capital murder. While his alleged partners in crime remain unidentified, authorities are tirelessly working to track them down.

Detective Michael Christian expressed the severity of the crime to Fox affiliate KDFW, stating, “It’s troubling because this happened inside his own residence in front of his wife and kid. I need help identifying and bringing justice to this family.” His words reflect the urgency with which the police are approaching this case.

According to a press release from the police, officers were dispatched to the couple’s Dallas apartment around 2:40 p.m. on December 30, 2023. Situated in the Pleasant Grove area on the city’s east side, the residence became the scene of a horrific crime when two men forced their way in. Antero, determined to protect his family, defended them with his own firearm but was ultimately overpowered.

Contact Crime Stoppers at 214-373-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers will pay for information… pic.twitter.com/XtfUsPQ5NZ

— Dallas Police Dept (@DallasPD) October 26, 2025

Police officials said in a press release that officers were dispatched to Antero and Cardenas’ Dallas apartment around 2:40 p.m. on Dec. 30, 2023, in the Pleasant Grove area on the city’s east side. Cops arrived to find Antero shot after two men tried barging into the home. Antero had tried to defend his family with his own gun.

Cardenas described the ordeal to multiple media outlets after the shooting. She said the family was inside the apartment when she heard a knock, so she went to answer the door and encountered two men.

“They were asking for help,” Cardenas told WFAA in January 2024. “They were wanting a plunger.”

As Cardenas went to answer the door, she said, the men forced their way inside, with one of them allegedly being armed.

“He points the gun at my son,” Cardenas told NBC affiliate KXAS.

“My husband jumped in front of my son and took the bullet for my son,” she recounted. “My husband was able to fire back, defend our family, defend my son.”

Antero was transported to the hospital by first responders, where he died. Cardenas said the shooting happened while she was pregnant with their second child.

“I’ve suffered two miscarriages,” Cardenas told WFAA.

“We’ve been trying for these couple of years. It finally happened,” she said. “I have to welcome this new baby into the world without a father.”

Speaking to KXAS in January 2024, Cardenas told the outlet, “My son keeps asking me, when is my dad going to be alive again? Things that no child is supposed to witness or supposed to ask. I don’t wish this on anyone.”