SAN ANTONIO – Bexar County District Attorney Nico LaHood said a grand jury's decision not to indict two deputies in the killing of Gilbert Flores was about justice, not politics.
The grand jury voted on Wednesday not to file criminal charges against Deputies Greg Vasquez and Robert Sanchez, who shot and killed Flores in August.
LaHood said he respects the final decision.
"We're interested in justice. I'm not into political favors. (We don't) do what we think is the national movement. We're into justice," LaHood said.
LaHood said his office presented the grand jury with every piece of information, including the 911 tapes, witness statements, radio calls and a second video not yet released. KSAT 12 News obtained exclusive cellphone footage of the shooting that appeared to show Flores raising his arms in apparent surrender just before the fatal shots.
Click here to watch the video.
"Obviously the grand jury had to consider everything, so we presented everything to them in context. When you look at the videos, they're bothersome. But then again you have to take everything in context. So I'm assuming that's what the grand jury did," LaHood said.
Sheriff Susan Pamerleau said her deputies were forced to act because Flores resisted arrest and pulled out a knife.
The deputies involved were identified as Greg Vasquez and Robert Sanchez.
"Their actions have been reviewed by this office, by the district attorney's office, by the media, by the federal authorities and now by a grand jury," Pamerleau said.
Still, Pamerleau admits the death of Flores was not what she or her deputies wanted.
"While we support the grand jury's decision to no-bill these deputies, I think it's important to recognize that there are no winners in this situation," Pamerleau said.
The Sheriff's Office and the county are still facing a civil suit filed by the Flores family.