U.S. Army offers up to $25,000 for information in fatal shooting of drill sergeant on New Year’s Day

Sergeant Jessica Mitchell was fatally shot on I-10 in San Antonio

Jessica Ann Mitchell, 30. (Crime Stoppers)

SAN ANTONIO – The U.S. Army is offering a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person, or persons, responsible for killing Sergeant Jessica Mitchell, who was fatally shot on New Year’s Day in San Antonio.

The Army’s Criminal Investigation Command announced the $25,000 reward on Thursday, asking anyone with information in the “senseless murder” to come forward.

Mitchell, a 68E Dental Specialist, was shot after 2 a.m. on New Year’s Day on east Interstate 10 and West Avenue.

San Antonio police said the car she was driving, a white 2019 Dodge Charger, was shot at by a person in a red vehicle.

Mitchell was hit multiple times by the gunfire and was taken to University Hospital, where she later died.

Officials said she may have swerved into the red car, causing minor damage and paint transfer.

She was on holiday leave at the time and was at the 4th Quarter Sports Bar celebrating New Year’s Eve before she left alone.

Her family told KSAT that she was celebrating the night with her friends and had been posting about her ”jolly good time” on social media.

Since the shooting, San Antonio police have also been asking for the public’s help in finding the suspect.

“We are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding SSgt. Mitchell’s senseless murder and are asking the public to come forward if they have any information on this case, regardless of how insignificant it may seem,” said Chris Grey, a spokesman for Army CID.

Mitchell, 30, was assigned to the U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence on Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Fort Sam Houston CID Office at 210-221-1628 or the police.

Tips can also be made anonymously online.


About the Author:

Rebecca Salinas is an award-winning digital journalist who joined KSAT in 2019. She reports on a variety of topics for KSAT 12 News.