05.07.2025 17:21
A TikTok influencer in the U.S. shot and killed former Marine Anthony Sanders after a verbal altercation, in front of his fiancée and their 10-month-old son. Following the incident, the suspect, Justin Guzman, faced significant backlash for his social media posts related to the murder. Guzman was arrested and sent to jail after the incident.
In an incident that took place in the state of Texas, 22-year-old Justin Guzman, known for his TikTok videos on social media, is accused of shooting and killing 30-year-old former Marine Anthony Sanders in front of his fiancée and their 10-month-old baby. Following the incident, a TikTok video of the suspect dancing alongside a news broadcast related to the murder sparked outrage.
DISPUTE IN THE ELEVATOR ENDED IN DEATH
The incident occurred on June 3 in the parking lot of the Galleria Shopping Center in Houston. According to allegations, Sanders' fiancée was verbally harassed by TikTok influencer Guzman and his friend Marko Cinan while in the elevator.
In response, Sanders confronted the duo in the shopping center's parking lot. However, as the argument escalated, Sanders, wanting to leave with his family in his vehicle, was stopped by Guzman, who blocked his way with his car.
As Sanders got out of the car to understand what was happening, he was shot by Guzman, who fired a total of 10 shots. At that moment, his fiancée and their 10-month-old baby were waiting in the vehicle. The victim's mother, Royal Sanders, recounted the horror they experienced, saying, "If my son hadn't gotten out of the car, the bullets would have hit the baby."
SHARED A VIDEO AFTER THE INCIDENT
The victim's parents are also former soldiers. The family presented evidence to the court, including a video of Guzman dancing on TikTok in response to a television news report about the incident. Father Frank Sanders stated, "This is a completely senseless murder. We want justice for our son."
HE SAID "HE WAS DEFENDING HIMSELF" BUT WAS ARRESTED
Immediately after the incident, Guzman, Cinan, and one other person were taken into custody but were released shortly after. However, following the backlash, Marko Cinan surrendered on June 25, and Guzman turned himself in to the Houston Police Department this week. Guzman's lawyers claimed that their client was defending himself, alleging that Sanders was carrying a knife during the argument.
OUTRAGE ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Following the murder, the post made on TikTok led to comments of "heartlessness for the sake of fame," and the incident resonated widely on social media. In the American public, discussions about "where should the line be drawn for the sake of becoming a phenomenon?" resurfaced.