(October 13, 2008)

TAFT--If you live in the Taft area, you may notice police stepping up their patroling efforts. This after a drug-related shooting Saturday in a normally quiet neighborhood. Law officers said they're concerned because the suspect is thought to be connected to a particularly violent prison gang.

The prison gang is the Mexican Mafia. Authorities said they believe a disagreement over drug sales led to the shooting.

This home on Wilburn street is in a quiet Taft nieghborhood. On Saturday morning, investigators said 46-year-old Manuel Gonzales was shot in his front yard. For area residents, many too afraid to talk, they said they're tired of the violence in the area and are worried.

"Like that morning the incident happened, we could not find my momma so we were really concerned," said a woman, who didn't want to give her name. 

Authorities said the shooting was over drugs and say the Mexican Mafia is responsible for trafficking drugs.

"The collector went around to collect from somebody who didn't want to pay," said San Patricio County Sheriff Leroy Moody. "That's the street story. Now what the true story is I don't know except they don't like each other."

They believe 45-year-old Reynaldo Castillo is a suspect in the shooting and is hiding out.

"The word is Reynaldo is injured, shot in the hand, (and) possibly beat up," Sheriff Moody said. 

After this shooting happened, officers are concerned a drug war may break out.

"More guns, more shootings, more stabbings, more beatings (and) more turmoil," said Sheriff Moody. 

So officers plan to increase up patrols in this area and residents just hope it makes a difference.

"So it's like maybe more police should get involved more often in order for my 84-year-old mother not to be in danger," said the woman who didn't want to give her name to us.

--Manuel De La Rosa, Area 3 News, mdelarosa@kiiitv.com