A shocking tragedy has rocked Houston, as popular TikToker Justin Guzman, known online as “Vector,” surrendered to authorities on July 1, 2025, facing a murder charge in the fatal shooting of a father in a Galleria parking lot. The incident, which unfolded on June 3, 2025, claimed the life of 30-year-old Anthony Sanders, a Marine veteran and devoted father, leaving a community grieving and a social media star’s future in question.
The shooting occurred in the Orange Garage at The Galleria, one of Houston’s busiest shopping destinations. According to court records, the tragedy began when Sanders’ fiancée was harassed by a group of men in an elevator as she left work. Sanders, who was there to pick her up, confronted the group, which included Guzman, 22, and his friend Marko Cinan, 23. The confrontation escalated into a deadly shootout, with allegations that Guzman fired 10 shots and Cinan also opened fire. Police found 14 shell casings in the suspects’ black Chrysler 300, and two more fell from Guzman’s lap during his detention. No weapon was found on Sanders, raising questions about the nature of the encounter.
Guzman, a Corpus Christi native, gained fame on TikTok for his comedic lip-sync videos and skits, often sporting a tracksuit and a haircut reminiscent of the Despicable Me character Vector. His accounts, @guzmanhimself1 and @guzmanbackup9, amassed a large following, with some videos racking up over a million views. He also streamed on Kick, including a live stream on the day of the shooting that drew thousands of viewers. His attorney, Romy Kaplan, claims Guzman acted in self-defense, alleging Sanders approached him with a knife, though this claim remains unverified.
Cinan, the second suspect, was arrested weeks earlier and charged with murder, with his bond set at $1 million. He has a prior criminal history, including charges for drug possession and auto burglary. Guzman, who turned himself in at the Harris County Joint Processing Center, faces a $750,000 bond and is charged in the 497th State District Court, while Cinan’s case is in the 248th State District Court.
Anthony Sanders’ family is devastated by the loss. A Marine veteran, Sanders was an active church member and eagerly planning his wedding to his son’s mother. His parents, both retired Army veterans, have vowed to attend every court hearing, seeking justice for their son. The investigation continues, with police urging anyone with information to contact the HPD Homicide Division or Crime Stoppers.
