SAN ANTONIO – A spokesperson for the San Antonio Police Department announced Tuesday that both officers who were shot during a standoff last week were released from the hospital.
On Tuesday, a spokesperson identified the officers as six-year veteran Rhett Shoquist and four-year veteran Raul Chavez.
“Both officers have been released from the hospital, and continue their recovery at home,” said SAPD spokesperson Washington Moscoso. “Thank you all for your continuous support. Please respect these officers’ privacy during this time.”
Photos shared by the San Antonio Police Officer’s Association on Monday appear to show that Shoquist was shot in the face and Chavez was shot multiple times in the torso area.
We are grateful to see the officers who were shot and critically injured last week leaving the hospital to continue their healing journey at home with family and friends! Help us show them how proud we are of their dedication and bravery 💙 pic.twitter.com/h1P5TIYffb
— San Antonio Police Officers' Association (@SAPOAssociation) August 29, 2023
A third officer was also injured by debris caused by gunfire. He was treated at a local hospital for an injury to his arm and released shortly after.
The officers all sustained injuries after 28-year-old Jesse Garcia allegedly opened fire on the afternoon of Aug. 24 on the West Side. SAPD officers received a tip regarding Garcia’s location and noted that he was wanted by police on three active warrants, including burglary of vehicles, evading arrest with a vehicle and felon in possession of a firearm.
Garcia is now facing eight new felony charges including five counts of aggravated assault on a public servant, two counts of aggravated robbery, and one count of aggravated kidnapping regarding Thursday’s standoff.
His bonds total $4.33 million for those charges, Bexar County court records show.
The records also reveal Garcia has a criminal history in Bexar County dating back to 2015, and that he was out on bond for drug possession and unauthorized use of a vehicle charges.
KSAT reported that Garcia has been arrested and released twice in the past year.
Chief William McManus blamed the bond system as part of the reason law enforcement is frustrated that people like Garcia are still on the street. Read more on that here.