Editor's Note: This story has been updated to include additional details from the affidavit.
Plans for a plea deal fell through for Paul Villarreal, the 22-year-old accused of shooting and killing Adam Burns during an altercation on Burney Drive in 2023.
Villarreal was indicted in 2024 on charges of murder and assault with a deadly weapon. Earlier this month, the murder charge was dropped.
During a hearing Tuesday afternoon, Villarreal's attorney, Lisa Greenberg announced the defense would not move forward with any plea deal. Instead, Villarreal's case will now be heading to trial.
According to investigators, Villarreal, 20-years-old at the time, shot Burns after the two had an altercation inside "The Ranch" nightclub.
In an affidavit obtained by KRIS 6, one of the security guards for "The Ranch" stated that "the victim (Burns) and an individual named Paul (Villarreal) had been arguing back and forth all night. While in the club the victim was observed gesturing toward Paul (Villarreal) that he was going to mess him up. The victim was seen leaving the club after Paul (Villarreal) and then several shots were heard."
A separate witness, according to that affidavit, said that both men were instructed to leave after being involved in an altercation. Villarreal left the nightclub first, followed by Burns.
According to that witness, it appeared "the two were going to start another confrontation" and the witness went across the street to ensure that didn't happen.
Burns was seen getting into a car, which then pulled away. In the meantime, Villarreal got into a vehicle. At this point, according to witness statements, the vehicle Burns was in pulled up to Villarreal's vehicle and Burns "got out and began to yell at the offender." The witness said he then heard three or four shots fired.
Two days after the shooting, Villarreal turned himself in to the Nueces County Sheriff's Office.
Currently, there is no date set for Villarreal's trial.
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