Arrest Made in Connection to December Downtown Shooting

San Marcos Police arrested a man in connection with a shooting that took place during a private Christmas party at Harper’s bar on Dec. 17.

SMPD arrested Vincent Charles Favata III, 44, of New Braunfels, on Friday on two counts of assault with a deadly weapon and one count of deadly conduct/discharge of a firearm. 

“We’re excited the guy got caught,” said Sean Neal, owner of Harper’s. “I can’t believe it’s a 44-year-old guy out of New Braunfels. That kind of blew my mind. It was just a private party with those of us in town.” 

According to an arrest affidavit, Favata entered the front door of Harper’s — 139 E. Hopkins St. — at approximately 1:05 a.m. and was told a private party was ongoing and he had to leave. Favata said he wasn’t leaving and had to be physically removed from the bar. Favata crossed Hopkins Street toward the area of the Green Parrot Bar, 124 N. LBJ Dr. At approximately 1:08 a.m., a male from a vehicle parked in the northwest corner of the Square fired at least nine shots across Hopkins Street into Harper’s.

“Everyone was all dressed up in suits and dresses (for the Christmas party),” Neal said. “When it all happened it was kind of like firecrackers, like pop rocks. And so, everybody just ducked down. Nobody knew what was going on. We all ducked down then we found out it was a shooting. The cops were there within minutes. They were there super fast.” 

SMPD responded to the incident at approximately 1:10 a.m. Two males, later identified as Clark Steger and Ben Nieuwoudt, were hit by the gunfire, causing non-life threatening serious bodily injuries.  Steger and Nieuwoudt were transported to Seton Hays in Kyle. Both were treated and released from the hospital. 

Video revealed that Favata was driving a light, colored SUV — later described as a 2015-2020 GMC Yukon lifted with aftermarket dark wheels and bigger tires — westbound on Hutchinson Street and went around other stopped vehicles to run a red light at the intersection of Hutchison and Guadalupe Street and continued west toward H-E-B at 200 W. Hopkins St., according to an arrest affidavit. Additional video found that the SUV turned on Hopkins Street and passed through the intersection of Comanche Street. at 1:11 a.m. The investigation received more video from Gumby’s Pizza — 312 W. Hopkins St. — which showed the Yukon pulling into the alley and parking in front of the restaurant at 1:11 a.m. Police were able to identify Favata by the license plate on the Yukon. Favata was manipulating a handgun in the video retrieved at Gumby’s. 

Favata remains in the Hays County Jail on $300,000 surety bond. 

A glass window was shattered after a shooting occurred at Harper's Bar on Dec. 17. Police arrested Vincent Charles Favata III in connection with the shooting. Daily Record photo by Lance Winter