SAPD: Suicidal man dies after confrontation with officers

SAPD officials believe man shot, killed self after confrontation with officers

SAN ANTONIO – A man who pointed a gun at police died Monday night after an incident in which a San Antonio police officer and a SWAT officer fired their weapons.

San Antonio police received a call about a disturbance around 9:45 p.m. at an apartment complex on Potranco Road and West Military Drive.

A preliminary police report said a 31-year-old suicidal man was at the scene threatening a woman with whom he had been romantically involved.  

Initially, just two officers responded to the call.

"As the one officer was walking around the back patio of an apartment, the individual popped up from the back patio and pointed a weapon at the officer," San Antonio Police Chief Anthony Treviño said.

The officer fired two shots, but Trevino said nobody was hit during the initial confrontation and officers backed away from the man.

Police said the man continued to point the gun at officers and at himself.

A SWAT team responded to assist with containment, and the man pointed his weapon at several SWAT officers.

One of the SWAT officers fired at the man. The man was struck once and fell to the ground, but another gunshot was heard.

"Then there was an additional shot fired after that time so we believe at this time that single shot that was heard was fired by the individual," Treviño said.

SAPD investigators believe the man fired the shot and killed himself, the report said.

Treviño said the two officers who fired their weapons will be on administrative duty while the incident is under investigation.

The man has not been identified.

"We were scared, because this doesn't usually happen over here at these apartments. I've been here six years," a neighbor said. "It's sad. It's awful, you know?"


About the Author:

RJ Marquez is the traffic anchor/reporter for KSAT’s Good Morning San Antonio. He also fills in as a news anchor and has covered stories from breaking news and Fiesta to Spurs championships and high school sports. RJ started at KSAT in 2010. He is proud to serve our viewers and be a part of the culture and community that makes San Antonio great.