Arrest warrant issued in connection with shooting death of San Marcos police officer

Stewart Thomas Mettz named in warrant in killing of Officer Kenneth Copeland

SAN MARCOS, Texas – An arrest warrant was issued Tuesday in connection with the shooting death of a San Marcos police officer.

The warrant names Stewart Thomas Mettz, 51, who remains in an Austin hospital for treatment of a gunshot wound he suffered during a short standoff with the San Marcos/Hays County SWAT team.

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Mettz has not been charged in the shooting death of Officer Kenneth Copeland, who with some other officers, was serving a separate arrest warrant on Mettz at his home in the El Camino Real neighborhood Monday afternoon.

Related: San Marcos police officer fatally shot while serving warrant

Mettz opened fire on the officers, "much like in an ambush situation," San Marcos Police Chief Chase Strapp said.

Copeland was shot multiple times, Strapp said. The officer was rushed to Central Texas Medical Center, where he died.

The fallen officer had been working on his day off, Strapp said.

Copeland is the first San Marcos police officer to die in the line of duty.

He leaves behind a wife and four children.


About the Author:

David Ibañez has been managing editor of KSAT.com since the website's launch in October 2000.