BALCONES HEIGHTS, Texas – A sergeant with the Balcones Heights Police Department was critically wounded after he was shot Wednesday afternoon in the parking lot of an apartment complex, officials said.
Sgt. Joey Sepulveda was undergoing surgery at Brooke Army Medical Center for wounds in the neck and shoulder, Balcones Heights Mayor Suzanne DeLeon said.
At least three suspects are being sought in connection with the shooting. A picture of one of the suspects was released by the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators did find the white truck they believe was used in this crime but are asking anyone who knows the man or any of the suspects to call BCSO at 210-335-6000.
Sepulveda and Officer Edgard Ortiz were investigating some suspicious people who may have been burglarizing vehicles in the parking lot of the Sol Apartments in the 6900 block of Interstate 10 around 1:30 p.m., Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar said.
When the officers contacted the suspects, one of the them made the officers feel threatened, and at least one of the officers drew a weapon and an exchange of gunfire ensued, Salazar said.
The suspects took off and are being sought. One of them may have been hit by gunfire, Salazar said.
Oritz was able to drag Sepulveda into a police cruiser and rushed him to a nearby hospital, said Salazar, who added that Ortiz’s quick actions probably saved the wounded sergeant’s life.
“My hat is off to that secondary officer,” Salazar said.
DeLeon and Salazar asked the community to pray for Sepulveda and his family.
Sepulveda has been on the force for 18 years and is someone “you know he’s got you covered” DeLeon said.
The chaotic scene that unfolded drew the immediate attention of neighbors in the area, including Lydia Pacheco who has lived there for 30 years. Pacheco said she has never seen anything like this before.
“I’m nervous because I saw a lot of action here so close to my house. All the police were rolling by here by my house and by I-10,” Pacheco said.
Dellview Elementary in the North East Independent School District was on lockout status, which means that staff and students participating in after-school programs were not allowed to go outside. But most students and teachers were not in the building because of early dismissal at noon, a district spokeswoman said.
St. Gregory the Great Catholic School was placed on lockdown, a school official said.
We’ll have more information on this developing story as it becomes available.