John Richard Baltazar, often referred to simply as John Baltazar, had a troubled past that led to a tragic and violent turning point in his life. He lived in Corpus Christi, Texas, and had a history of criminal behavior and violent tendencies. According to court records, Baltazar was a member of the Texas Syndicate prison gang and had a criminal record that included felony offenses. His inability to control his anger and his reliance on alcohol often escalated minor conflicts into violent confrontations.

On September 27, 1997, Baltazar's life took a darker turn when he learned that his mother had allegedly been beaten by her boyfriend, Narciso "Ted" Cuellar. Fueled by rage and alcohol, Baltazar decided to retaliate, an impulsive act that would result in the death of an innocent child and the destruction of multiple lives.

On the night of September 27, 1997, John Baltazar armed himself with a .22-caliber revolver and recruited his friend Johnny Gonzalez to assist him in confronting Narciso Cuellar. Baltazar believed that Cuellar would be at his sister's house, where he often stayed. When the pair arrived at the Marines family's home on Panama Drive, they found the lights turned off. Undeterred, Baltazar kicked down the locked front door and opened fire in the dark.

Inside the house, five-year-old Adriana Marines and her ten-year-old cousin Vanessa were watching a video of Sleeping Beauty on a bed near the porch. Baltazar's blind shooting struck Adriana twice in the head, killing her instantly, and hit Vanessa in the chest. Vanessa survived but carried a bullet close to her heart for years, a painful reminder of that horrific night. Baltazar also shot Adriana's father, Arturo, twice—in the mouth and neck—before leaving the house. Arturo survived but sustained lasting injuries.

Baltazar’s intended target, Narciso Cuellar, was not at the house that night. Baltazar later admitted that his shooting of Adriana and Vanessa was unintentional, claiming that it was dark and he had acted reflexively. He expressed regret for Adriana’s death, saying he was deeply sorry for the little girl but showed no remorse for shooting Arturo, whom he described as “a male coming at me.”

Baltazar and Johnny Gonzalez were arrested shortly after the shooting. Forensic evidence, including a footprint on the kicked-in door that matched Baltazar’s black Nike sneakers, and witness testimonies identified Baltazar as the gunman. Surveillance footage from Baltazar's home showed that he had left shortly before the shooting and returned soon afterward, violating his parole.

In 1998, Baltazar was convicted of capital murder for Adriana Marines’ death and sentenced to death by lethal injection. He was also convicted of aggravated assault for shooting Arturo and Vanessa and received two life sentences for those charges. His accomplice, Johnny Gonzalez, was sentenced to 80 years in prison for Adriana’s death, along with additional sentences for burglary and aggravated assault, amounting to 260 years in prison. Gonzalez will be eligible for parole in 2037.

John Baltazar spent less than five years on death row, a relatively short time compared to the average in Texas. During his time in prison, he filed appeals, all of which were denied. On January 15, 2003, under significant media coverage, Baltazar was executed by lethal injection. He declined to make a final statement before his death. He was buried at Captain Joe Byrd Cemetery.

The tragic case left lasting scars on the Marines family. Arturo Marines and his daughter Vanessa both lived with permanent physical injuries, while the emotional toll on Adriana’s mother, Matilda, and the rest of the family was immeasurable. Vanessa, who was 16 at the time of Baltazar’s execution, described the events of that night as a haunting memory.