criminal charges

BROWNSVILLE – The father of a UT Brownsville student killed at an off-campus complex last month is speaking out.

The death of Santiago Bernal has been tough on his family. The Bernals came to Brownsville to find out the latest on the investigation and to make sure his death isn’t forgotten.

Police say the 21-year-old student from Monterrey was fatally stabbed at an off-campus apartment Feb. 19. It was a tough month for the father.

“I am very sad for the loss of my son. He was my best friend. We used to go fishing together here in Brownsville. It’s been a hard loss for me and my family,” says Juan Pablo Bernal.

Police say Bernal entered the wrong apartment in the early morning hours. Witnesses told him to leave, but he refused. He got into a fight with the boyfriend of one of the women there. He claimed he stabbed Bernal in self-defense. No arrests were made.

“It was a tragedy. I am not upset at all with police and know it’s a process. I don’t believe in vengeance," Bernal says.

Bernal met with the UTB president and other top school leaders. He wants other parents to hear his message and make sure their children know how to take care of themselves.

Bernal says he wants to make sure this kind of death doesn’t happen again. He wants to create a system to protect students in the future at UTB. Bernal hopes when he leaves Brownsville, he’ll be closer to accomplishing his goal.

The Brownsville Police Department plans to turn over Bernal’s case to the district attorney’s office next week. Then they’ll decide if any criminal charges will be filed.