Texas Woman Charged With Murder After Shooting Boyfriend Following Christmas Eve Argument Over Car and Cellphone

TEXAS — A San Antonio woman is facing a murder charge after authorities say she shot and killed her boyfriend in the chest early Christmas Eve morning following an argument over a vehicle and a cellphone — a case the sheriff described as “pretty clear-cut.”

Courtney Renee Hooper, 36, was arrested and charged with murder in the death of her 42-year-old boyfriend, whose name has not been publicly released, according to the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies Respond to Early-Morning Shooting

Deputies were called around 6:30 a.m. Wednesday to a home in the 100 block of Mallow Grove in San Antonio, where they found a man suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest, Sheriff Javier Salazar said during a press conference.

Paramedics attempted life-saving measures, but the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

Hooper was taken into custody a short time later without incident.

Argument Over Car and Phone Led to Fatal Shooting

Investigators say the shooting occurred after an argument involving a car and a cellphone escalated inside the residence.

As Hooper was escorted to jail, local television cameras captured her claiming she had acted in self-defense, telling reporters she was “protecting” herself.

However, Sheriff Salazar said evidence provided by Hooper herself undermined that claim.

Video Meant to Clear Suspect Instead Strengthened Case

According to Salazar, Hooper voluntarily provided investigators with a video she believed would exonerate her.

“Notably, she provided us with a video that she felt would exonerate her,” Salazar said. “But in reality, after watching that video, it just seemed like that made her seem even more guilty.”

The sheriff added that based on the evidence reviewed so far, the case appears straightforward.

“It’s a pretty clear-cut case at this point,” he said.

History of Domestic-Related Calls at Address

Salazar confirmed that deputies had previously responded to numerous domestic-related calls at the same address, though he noted that most of those incidents involved men other than the victim.

Authorities did not release details about those prior calls.

Sheriff Warns About Holiday Domestic Violence Escalation

The sheriff also used the case to highlight a broader concern about domestic violence escalating during the holidays, a pattern law enforcement often observes.

“Domestic violence doesn’t just go away,” Salazar said. “It doesn’t stop happening on its own. It continues to escalate — and unless something changes, somebody is going to die.”

Suspect Held Without Bond

Hooper is currently being held without bond at the Bexar County Jail. Court records show she is scheduled to appear in court on March 24.

The investigation remains ongoing.