Caleb Remmy’s family describes months of conflict before his death, though police have not publicly established a motive for the shooting.
HONDO, Texas — The family of 15-year-old Caleb Remmy says his fatal shooting followed a history of bullying and conflict involving other teenagers, adding new questions to a murder investigation in which police have not publicly identified a motive.
Caleb was shot Oct. 19 near 14th Street and Avenue Q in Hondo and later died at a hospital. Police arrested a 16-year-old from Uvalde and charged him with murder after investigators gathered witness statements and other evidence. Authorities also recovered a firearm they believe was used in the shooting. The accused teenager’s identity has not been released because he is a juvenile.
In interviews following her son’s death, Emily Remmy has described previous problems involving Caleb and young people connected to the case. She told KTXS that her son had been bullied since the previous year after the family reported an allegation that the 16-year-old had stolen Caleb’s bicycle. She said the bicycle was returned and alleged that the teenager later came to the family’s home, tried to get through Caleb’s window and threatened him with a hatchet.
Police have not publicly confirmed those allegations or said that the earlier disputes caused the shooting. Remmy also gave an earlier account to KSAT in which she said Caleb had previous disagreements with one of the children involved and that she believed the alleged shooter’s younger brother had bullied him. Taken together, the accounts establish that the family reported a history of conflict, but they do not establish who was responsible for each earlier episode or what motivated the fatal encounter.
Hondo police said officers were dispatched at about 9:34 p.m. to the intersection of 14th Street and Avenue Q after receiving a report of a shooting. They found Caleb with a gunshot wound and began lifesaving efforts before emergency medical personnel arrived. He was transported to a local hospital and died from his injuries. Hondo Independent School District later confirmed he was a Hondo High School student.
Police said witness interviews and evidence quickly led them to identify a 16-year-old from Uvalde. Investigators obtained a search warrant and recovered a firearm they believe was connected to Caleb’s death. Hondo Police Chief Justin Soza said the teenager was arrested on a murder charge and placed in juvenile detention in Atascosa County. Police initially said it was unclear what prompted the shooting.
Caleb’s mother said he had asked to go to a nearby convenience store with friends that evening. The store was only a few blocks from the family’s home. Within about 10 minutes, the family learned that something had happened. Remmy, who is a nurse, rushed to the area and found Caleb critically injured near a car wash. She tried to save him before he was taken to the hospital.
The family’s account has expanded in the weeks since the shooting. Remmy said she was shown surveillance footage by investigators and believes it showed the accused teenager’s mother driving him to the area before the shooting and leaving with him afterward. Police had not publicly confirmed that account as of Friday or announced any charge against the woman. Remmy herself said she did not know what the driver could see during the shooting.
As investigators work through those claims, Caleb’s relatives have also tried to keep attention on the life he lived rather than only the circumstances of his death. His mother and grandmother, Lori Williams, described him as an energetic teenager who loved to dance, draw, build Lego sets, play basketball and ride bicycles with friends. They said he was particularly close to his two younger siblings and was quick to respond when someone around him was upset.
Hundreds of people gathered near the shooting scene for a vigil in the days after Caleb died, and his funeral was held Oct. 30. His family said he would have turned 16 in November. They have spoken about the milestones they expected him to reach, including graduating from school and getting his first job, while continuing to call for accountability in his death.
The criminal case now centers on the 16-year-old charged with murder, while other questions remain unresolved. Police have not publicly established a motive, confirmed bullying as the cause of the shooting or announced additional charges related to the family’s allegations. The teenager remains accused, and the charge against him has not been proven in court.
Author note: Last updated November 13, 2026.