SAN ANTONIO – Nathaniel Melendez, 21, was found guilty on Friday for the murder of 16-year-old Evelyn Gumbardo.

Gumbardo tragically lost her life on July 5, 2022, at a party in an apartment complex.

During the trial, Melendez, who took the stand in his defense, provided conflicting accounts of the events, which ultimately worked against him.

Despite his claims that he was only trying to scare people away by firing the gun, the consequences were dire as Gumbardo lost her life, and two others were injured, including Catalina Farias, Gumbardo’s roommate.

Melendez argued that he acted out of fear for his own safety, citing intoxication and paranoia as contributing factors.

Throughout the trial, Melendez’s version of events varied, leading to questions about the credibility of his testimony.

In the end, despite the inconsistencies in his story, Melendez did not deny the act of firing the weapon, expressing regret and uncertainty about his actions.

Now facing a potential life sentence, Melendez awaits the judge’s final verdict.

Stay tuned for more coverage on the Nathaniel Melendez trial on KSAT.