SAPD officer, suspect hospitalized after exchanging gunfire on West Side, chief says

Suspect in critical condition, Chief McManus says

SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio police officer is hospitalized with one gunshot wound and a suspect is in critical condition after being shot three times by the officer on the West Side, according to Chief William McManus.

McManus said officers received a call for domestic violence-assault at a home in the 700 block of Culebra on Thursday evening after the suspect -- identified on Friday afternoon as 23-year-old Elijaih Clemente Gonzales -- had threatened his girlfriend by saying he was going to “shoot up the place.”

Officers arrived at the girlfriend’s home before Gonzales arrived. When he saw the officers, he fled in his vehicle up to I-10 north and wrecked, McManus said.

Gonzales jumped out of his vehicle and attempted to carjack someone going up the I-10 access ramp. When he saw the officer come out of his service vehicle, Gonzales shot at the officer and struck him in the forearm, McManus said.

The officer then returned fire, striking the suspect three times, according to the chief.

SAPD Officer Drew Matthewson, a five-year veteran of the department, and Gonzales were taken to the hospital. McManus said that the officer is stable and Gonzales is in critical condition.

No other people were injured.

McManus said Gonzales had six active warrants, five of which were for felony offenses.

Gonazales’ new charges include attempted capital murder, aggravated robbery and felon in possession of a firearm, police said Friday afternoon.

Matthewson, who was invoved in another shootout in 2019, is on administrative duty at this time.


About the Authors:

Ivan Herrera has worked as a journalist in San Antonio since 2016. His work for KSAT 12 and KSAT.com includes covering breaking news of the day, as well as producing Q&As and content for the "South Texas Pride" and "KSAT Money" series.

Adam Barraza is a photojournalist at KSAT 12 and an El Paso native. He interned at KVIA, the local ABC affiliate, while still in high school. He then moved to San Antonio and, after earning a degree from San Antonio College and the University of the Incarnate Word, started working in news. He’s also a diehard Dodgers fan and an avid sneakerhead.