Texas man sentenced to 35 years for fatal road rage shooting of mother of four

A Texas man has been sentenced to 35 years in prison for fatally shooting a mother of four during a road rage confrontation in San Antonio.

Nicholas Hernandez, 25, pleaded guilty last week in state district court to the murder of 31-year-old Julie Marie Butcher. The sentence represents the maximum allowed under his plea deal, according to court records.

Butcher was driving on Interstate 35 on the night of November 8, 2024, when she became involved in a dispute with Hernandez. Authorities said he shot her in the head, causing her car to flip into a ditch, where she was pronounced dead.

Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales said in a statement, “Julie’s life was tragically taken, and we hope her loved ones can take some measure of solace in the sentence imposed today.”

Investigators said Hernandez spoke about the shooting to several friends, who then notified police. Witnesses reported that he asked someone to dispose of shell casings and shared text messages about the crime. Hernandez also called the San Antonio Police Department hours later, attempting to report the murder weapon — a Beretta 9 mm — as stolen.

Butcher’s family expressed relief at the sentence, stating, “While the pain of her loss is still with us, we take comfort in the dedication of law enforcement and the overwhelming support from our community.”

A GoFundMe page honoring Butcher describes her as a “beloved wife, mother, daughter, and friend.” She leaves behind her husband, Michael Butcher, and their four children: Hailey, Jaxson, Michael, and Kenneth.