Teen Arrested After Drive-By Shooting on Armstrong Street

SAN ANGELO, TX — San Angelo police have arrested an 18-year-old Santa Anna man accused of firing multiple gunshots at an occupied home during a drive-by shooting on Armstrong Street last month, according to an arrest affidavit.

Elijah Reese was booked into the Tom Green County Detention Center on Dec. 4 on a charge of Deadly Conduct – Discharge of a Firearm. His bond was set at $150,000.

Police said the shooting occurred around 12:51 a.m. on Nov. 19, when officers found spent shell casings in the roadway near East 23rd Street and Armstrong Street. The home, occupied by six people, had been struck at least twice by 9mm rounds, and a nearby stop sign was also hit.

According to investigators, the shooting stemmed from a dispute between one of the residents and Malik Johnson that began on Snapchat. The affidavit states Johnson called a 17-year-old inside the home during the argument and allegedly tried to get another man, Brendon Akingbolagun, to come outside and fight. The teen told police he could hear Reese’s voice in the background of the call and recognized it from past interactions.

When Akingbolagun refused to come outside, investigators wrote, Reese allegedly fired eight shots toward the house before the vehicle drove away. The 17-year-old later messaged Johnson saying one of the bullets flew by his head.

Detectives interviewed witnesses, reviewed camera footage from a nearby church and school, and examined evidence including shell casings and damage at the scene. A photo lineup also aided the investigation.

Johnson was arrested on Dec. 3 on unrelated charges and, after waiving his Miranda rights, told investigators the fight was originally supposed to occur at his residence before plans changed and the group went to the Armstrong Street home. He also stated Reese was in the back seat of the vehicle during the shooting.

All information in this report is based on the arrest affidavit and jail records. Charges against Reese remain allegations until proven in court.