SAN ANTONIO – A capital murder suspect is in critical condition after being shot by fugitive task force officers.
The shooting happened just after 11 a.m. Saturday at a hotel in the 9600 block of I-35 North near Loop 410.
Members of the U.S Marshals Service’s Lone Star Fugitive Task Force had a warrant for 37-year-old Rudy Smith and went to the hotel to arrest him. Police said Smith was being sought on four felony warrants, including the one for the Aug. 12 slaying of Ruben Sanchez in the 300 block of East Crane Street.
San Antonio police Chief William McManus said task force members approached the Smith in the parking lot and moved in the make the arrest, but he pulled a pistol and fired three shots at them.
“He turned as if he were going to give up, and at that point he pulled a pistol from his holster (and) fired three rounds at members of the task force,” McManus said.
McManus said three task force members — one from the San Antonio Police Department, one from the Bexar County Sheriff's Office and one deputy U.S. marshal — then returned fire.
Smith sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his body. He was transported to SAMM-C, where he's currently in critical condition.
McManus said Smith also had a child with him. The child was not hurt. He also said all members of the task force team were unhurt.
The Lone Star Fugitive Task Force is a U.S. Marshals Service team made up of officers from the service, along with others from local and state law enforcement agencies. The task force tracks and arrests wanted fugitives.
McManus said in addition to the capital murder warrant in Sanchez's death, Smith also had warrants for aggravated assault for a shooting on Jane Ellen Street in July, felony possession of a firearm and a narcotics violation. Smith is now additionally charged with attempted capital murder of a police officer.
McManus said the San Antonio police officer, a longtime veteran, will be placed on administrative duty while the district attorney’s office reviews the case. There is no word on the deputy or the U.S. marshal.