Man charged in shooting at San Antonio movie theater

Jesus Garcia charged with attempted capital murder in shooting at Santikos Mayan 14 Theater

SAN ANTONIO – A 19-year-old man was charged with attempted capital murder charges in connection with a shooting at a South Side movie theater Sunday night that sent moviegoers scrambling for cover. 

The suspect, Jesus Garcia, will also be charged with aggravated assault, according to the Bexar County Sheriff's Office.

Gunfire erupted around 9:30 p.m. outside the Santikos Mayan 14 movie theater on Southwest Military Drive.

According to sheriff's officials, Garcia opened fire inside the China Garden restaurant, where he was employed.

Sheriff's officials said Garcia continued to fire shots in the parking lot and fired at a San Antonio police officer in a marked patrol car who had responded to the shooting.

The officer was not hit, but another person in the parking lot was, and was taken to a hospital, where the victim was treated and released.

Garcia ran into the movie theater, but was followed by an off-duty Bexar County Sheriff's deputy who shot him four times, officials said.

The department said the deputy was working security at the theater and credited her with stopping the gunman, and said more people could have been hurt or killed had she not acted.

Garcia was taken to San Antonio Military Medical Center and is expected to recover, officials said.

Moviegoers said they heard shot after shot and feared the worst.

"I could have died, you know? I'm glad I'm OK, and I have another day with my son," Megan Roel said.

Isabel Roel said her son was in the line of fire.

"He was sitting in the truck waiting for Megan to come out of the movies and saw the guy shooting in his direction, then everyone went running."

A motive has not been determined, but officials said Garcia may have been upset over a breakup with another China Garden employee.

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