DA Drops Charges Against Man Who Threatened San Antonio Mayor Over Project Marvel

Bexar County prosecutors cite 'insufficient evidence' in case against Marcos Rene Olvera.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 9:05pm

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A quiet, cinematic painting of a dimly lit city street at dusk, with a single streetlight casting warm, diagonal shadows across the pavement, conceptually representing the somber mood surrounding threats against a public official.The threats against San Antonio's mayor underscore the growing security concerns faced by elected officials in an increasingly polarized political climate.San Antonio Today

The Bexar County District Attorney's Office has dropped charges against a 25-year-old San Antonio man accused of making a death threat against Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones over her stance on the city's $4 billion Project Marvel development. Prosecutors cited 'insufficient evidence' in the case against Marcos Rene Olvera, who allegedly wrote in a social media group chat that 'we need to kill the mayor'.

Why it matters

This case highlights the growing threats and security concerns facing elected officials, especially over contentious development projects. Mayor Jones has faced multiple threats in the past year, leading to an overnight security detail and the need to wear a ballistic vest.

The details

Olvera was charged with retaliation, a third-degree felony, after his social media post about killing the mayor. At the time, Jones was at odds with many in the public over her call for a 'strategic pause' on Project Marvel, a sports-and-entertainment district anchored by a new basketball arena for the Spurs. Bexar County voters narrowly approved public financing for the arena in November 2025.

  • In April 2026, the Bexar County DA's office dropped the charges against Olvera.
  • In February 2026, another man, Ignacio Zuniga III, allegedly tweeted that people should be 'hunting' demonic Democrats, starting with 'Mayor GOJ'.

The players

Gina Ortiz Jones

The mayor of San Antonio who faced threats over her stance on the city's Project Marvel development.

Marcos Rene Olvera

A 25-year-old San Antonio man who was accused of making a death threat against Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones on social media.

Ignacio Zuniga III

A 44-year-old man who allegedly tweeted that people should be 'hunting' demonic Democrats, starting with 'Mayor GOJ'.

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What’s next

Ignacio Zuniga III's case is still making its way through the court system.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing threats and security concerns facing elected officials, especially over contentious development projects. It raises questions about the challenges of prosecuting such cases and the need for stronger protections for public servants.