Daniel David Gonzales One man died and two other men were hospitalized after an early morning stabbing Sunday morning inside of Club Inc. at Rax Sports Bar.

According to the Kingsville Police Department, officers were called out to the bar, located at 1701 S. Brahma Blvd., at 12:39 a.m. where it was discovered that two men, Matthew Garcia, 20, and his brother Jason Garcia, 22, both of Kingsville, had been taken to Christus Spohn Hospital Kleberg in their own vehicle following a stabbing.

Matthew Garcia, who had been stabbed 18-20 times, was pronounced dead at the hospital, and his brother Jason Garcia, who was stabbed once, was treated and released over the weekend.

A third man, Ernesto Garza, 30, of Bishop, approached officers on the scene and advised them that he had also been stabbed.

Garza was transported by Kingsville Fire Department EMS to Christus Spohn Hospital Kleberg and was later transferred by HALO Flight to Christus Spohn Hospital Memorial in Corpus Christi.

Sophia Campos Garza was stabbed once in the back and had emergency surgery for a punctured lung.

Sophia Campos, 26, and Daniel David Gonzales, 26, both of Kingsville, were each questioned at the Kingsville Police Department and then transported to the Kleberg County Jail, where they were both charged with murder with bonds of $300,000 each, and aggravated assault with bonds of $50,000 each.

As of press deadline Tuesday, both were still being held in the Kleberg County Jail.

Kingsville Police Chief Ricardo Torres said that there have been several incidents with both Campos and Gonzales in the past, both together and separately.

Both Campos and Gonzales were seen at the Los Palominos concert at the J.K. Northway earlier in the night and reportedly were involved in an altercation there, and they were asked to

Matthew Garcia sports bar leave the premises.

The deady incident at Rax occurred after a fight broke out inside of Club Inc., which is an additional club that opened up inside of Rax Sports Bar late last year.

Reports from patrons inside of the club, say that the fight started between the Garcia brothers and Campos and Gonzales initially and Garza intervened in order to break up the fight along with Rax security.

Although there was blood left on the floor from the incident, patrons said that since everyone involved was taken outside of Club Inc. into Rax immediately, it was assumed that it was just a minor fight that had occurred and the club continued to stay open until normal closing time at 2 a.m.

Torres said there was initial confusion about the severity of the situation, which is why the patrons inside were not asked to leave.

“There was a lot of confusion out there about victims, and when investigators were able to determine the crime scene was inside of the bar that was when they tried closing the bar down,” he said.

Most of the patrons found out what actually happened only after walking out of the club during closing where conversations were being held in the parking lot.

Torres said 15 witnesses were questioned about the events that took place and that they are still looking into others who were involved in the case.

“Citizens go out to establishments to have a good time, and that’s understandable, but I believe that the bar owners also have a responsibility to provide a safe environment for people to do that,” Torres said.

That means that they have to hire security,” Torres said.

“Although even that is not going to keep anything from occurring sometimes, because there are some things that are going to happen regardless when you mix up alcohol in any situation.”

It is unknown if alcohol played a factor in the incident, however many patrons commented that Matthew Garcia was seen at Rax already wearing a bracelet, which is issued to patrons over the age of 21, from a different local establishment.

Garcia was marked with an “M” on each hand, indicating he was a minor, upon entering Rax after he was asked for his ID.

“We have issued multiple citations for minors consuming alcohol, and we have forwarded those to Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission in the past,” the chief said.

“That’s more of a licensing issue, but we do enforce those things,” Torres said. “We will also be providing information to the TABC about other incidents that have happened at this location,” he said.

Currently the bar is closed with crime scene tape after the TABC temporarily suspended the liquor license following the incident, as is required in the state alcoholic beverage code after any violent crime has occurred.

Their code is as follows:

“The commission or administrator,without a hearing, may for investigative purposes summarily suspend a mixed beverage permit or a wine and beer retailer’s permit for not more than seven days if the commission or administrator finds that a shooting, stabbing, or murder has occurred on the licensed premises which is likely to result in a subsequent act of violence.”

Carolyn Beck, TABC Director of Communications and Governmental Relations, explained the next step in the process during the seven-day suspension.

“During this time there is an investigation, along with the criminal investigation by the local police department, to find out if there was some fault on behalf of the permit holder or if there was something that could have been done to prevent the incident from occurring,” she said Tuesday.

“It’s called a breach of peace and they are held accountable if it is found out that they are not doing enough to keep the violent acts from occurring,” she said.

“They can have their permit suspended or be fined, and if it is serious enough then they can have their permit cancelled permanently,” Beck said.

Club owner Rocky Dominguez Jr. said in a statement to the Kingsville Record and Bishop News that he is deeply saddened by this incident, and he has been in close contact with the Garcia family throughout the entire ordeal.

“Not a day goes by that tears have not fallen down my face since Saturday night. I give my heart, love, and prayers to all of the Garcia family,” he said.

Dominguez is eternally thankful to Ernesto Garza for assisting him in trying to stop the fight.

“I am sorry for what you and your family and friends have been going through these past few days,” Dominguez said.

“No one ever deserves to go through this, and I am indebted to you for helping me that night and trying to save random customers that you didn’t even know from hurting one another,” he said.

“You almost lost your very own life because of your braveness, big heart, and kindness and if you didn’t step in and help me then that would have been me,” Dominguez noted.

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

Dominguez said that he is a self-made man who has tried to boost local Kingsville economy with his business.

“I’m just a young man born and raised in Kingsville, who was raised by a single mother and with no education from college who has always been told ‘no’ and who wouldn’t succeed in this town,” he said. “I have been told that didn’t have what it took from the president of a local bank, from the head of a local leader in this town, and from everyone that has tried and tried to bring me down since 2000!”

He added, “I have always dreamed big and have always believed within myself and have carried a personal vendetta to show that anything is possible,” he said.

“As long as you put Christ in your life, positive people and surroundings, hard work, and your heart and soul, then, yes, if I can stand here before you today and do it, so can anyone else with big dreams,” Dominguez said.

“I have been self-employed over 10 years now which is a proven fact that you can be whatever you want to be in your own life.”

Dominguez said that there are a lot of negative things that people are so quick to say now about his establishment, which has suddenly come out of nowhere.

“I could have chosen anywhere to start my business ventures, but chose Kingsville because this is home for me and my family and I actually love this town,” he said.

“Kingsville has been very good to me and my family, and now some have turned their back on me and I am deeply crushed,” Dominguez said.

As far as security, Dominguez said he has asked local law enforcement for assistance in the past but has yet to receive any type of help and has hired his own security.

“I have gone and had two personal meetings with the chief of police and have begged and pleaded for help with all the negative influences that have been ruining my business and putting my customers, employees, and myself at risk of danger, and I have been denied both times,” he said.

“I have had to take on these

Mishou measures by myself without the help of our local law enforcement, both city and county, which both denied my request for additional help, but will approve (for) other local bars their services but not mine,” he said.

“Now they bash me and throw me under the bus when this all could have been resolved and some things could have been prevented and I wouldn’t be in this situation,” Dominguez said.

In response to accusations that minors are allowed to consume alcohol at his business, Dominguez said that has never been tolerated and his track record can prove it.

“We have caught minors trying to drink in the past and that comes with the business,” he said.

“We don’t encourage it or allow it and in six years of business I have zero violations written up from TABC,” he said.

“If minors are caught drinking, they are taken out immediately and the proper precautions are taken.”

Overall, Dominguez said that he has been overwhelmed with support from friends and members of the community and would like to thank everyone for their words and encouragement.

“This is a tragedy within itself. I never wanted or thought this would ever happen while I was here in my own town and it did,” he said.

“I have no control on how people want to represent themselves, act, speak, dress, or even look, and I accept people on how they are and let their own actions speak for themselves,” he said.

“I am so touched, honored, deeply moved, and overwhelmed with all the support through calls, texts, emails that you have given me; I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your support and love. No one deserves to go through this,” he said.

Carwashes and other benefits from friends are happening throughout the week to raise money for the Garcia family’s expenses.

The Kingsville Police Department continues to investigate this case. If anyone has information, call KPD at 592-4311. If anyone wishes to remain anonymous, call Kingsville Crime Stoppers at 592-INFO or www.tipsubmit.com.