'He just completely snapped': Nephew butchers uncle who was well-known restaurateur at home in upscale neighborhood, cops say

A 39-year-old antheral traveled from California to Texas and murdered his uncle who founded a fashionable concatenation of Mexican restaurants, according to police.

David Ruiz stabbed 78-year-old Edward "Ronnie" Acosta to decease connected Tuesday astatine his upscale location successful San Antonio, according to police. Ruiz is present facing a murder charge.

Acosta founded the Las Palapas edifice chain that started retired successful 1981 arsenic a tiny 60-seat determination successful the Alamo City and has since expanded passim the Lone Star State.

The San Antonio Express-News spoke with Ruiz's begetter who said his lad was suffering from a intelligence wellness situation and whitethorn person been utilizing methamphetamine.

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"I thought I was going to suffer him to suicide," James Ruiz, who is joined to Acosta's sister, told the Express-News. "I ne'er thought he'd wounded idiosyncratic other — particularly not Ronnie.  He conscionable wholly snapped."

The elder Ruiz said his lad acceptable retired from California to San Antonio connected Sunday. Acosta invited him to enactment astatine his home.

Citing an affidavit, section ABC affiliate KSAT reported determination was immoderate benignant of altercation that led to the stabbing aboriginal Tuesday morning. Acosta's housekeeper reportedly witnessed the stabbing and called 911. There was "blood each astir him," the housekeeper reportedly told cops. David Ruiz allegedly stabbed his uncle aggregate times, and Acosta "bled retired portion lying successful the garage," according to police.

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The fishy fled the country but was aboriginal arrested immoderate 100 miles distant successful Junction. According to the Kimble County Sheriff's Office, San Antonio cops alerted them of Ruiz driving westbound connected Interstate 10. Deputies spotted the fishy conveyance adjacent a motortruck halt and conducted a postulation stop, aft which they took Ruiz into custody without incident.

James Ruiz told the Express-News that erstwhile helium learned that his lad had allegedly killed Acosta, helium texted him and urged him to crook himself into police. His lad reportedly asked why.

"David, you killed Ronnie," James Ruiz reportedly texted.

David Ruiz called his dada "crazy," per the Express-News. He is awaiting extradition backmost to Bexar County.

Acosta had sold his bulk involvement successful the Las Palapas edifice concatenation successful 2020. The institution paid tribute to Acosta connected its Facebook page.

"Ron was a antheral of heavy faith, a generous spirit, and a existent assemblage leader," the station said. "His warmth, vision, and enactment ethic near an undeniable people connected San Antonio. Many knew him arsenic the laminitis of Las Palapas, but those closest to him knew him arsenic a kind, God-fearing antheral who believed successful serving others, whether done food, friendship, oregon faith."