3 SAPD officers no-billed by Bexar County grand jury in shooting death of man

Kevin Johnson, 28, was fatally wounded in March 2022 on West Side while officers attempted to arrest him on active warrant

SAN ANTONIO – A Bexar County grand jury has returned a no-bill decision in connection with the shooting death of a man in March 2022 by three San Antonio police officers.

“The facts, evidence, and applicable law were presented to the grand jury on August 31, 2023. After private deliberation, the grand jury declined to return a true bill of indictment,” the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office said Monday in a statement.

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A no-bill decision means the grand jury determined there was not enough evidence of guilt to support a criminal charge against the person or persons accused.

Officers Adam Rule, Gus Vallas and James Quintanilla shot and killed Kevin Johnson, 28, while the officers tried to arrest him on an active warrant.

The officers were patrolling the area near North Hamilton and West Laurel near Woodlawn Lake Park on March 14, 2022, when they came across Johnson, who was wanted for a felon in possession of a firearm charge.

Police officials allege that Johnson ran away from officers and pulled a gun from his waistband. Moments later, he was shot, Police Chief William McManus said at the time.

A chaotic scene unfolded in the West Side neighborhood after Johnson was killed.

Johnson’s family at the scene said witnesses had told them he had been shot nine times in the back.

SAPD released bodycam footage of the fatal shooting. In a narration of the video, SAPD Deputy Chief Chris Benavides said officers spotted a gun in Johnson’s right hand as he exited the creek.

Officers repeatedly shouted for Johnson to drop the gun as he appeared to trip and roll forward into the embankment on the other side of the creek.

After one officer said Johnson had a gun in his hand and officers yelled “Gun! Gun! Gun!” they fired a flurry of shots at Johnson, killing him.

A handgun was recovered at the scene. SAPD officials included in the video release a still image of the grass-covered gun, with a bullet lodged at an angle in the chamber.


About the Authors

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

Emmy-award winning reporter Dillon Collier joined KSAT Investigates in September 2016. Dillon's investigative stories air weeknights on the Nightbeat and on the Six O'Clock News. Dillon is a two-time Houston Press Club Journalist of the Year and a Texas Associated Press Broadcasters Reporter of the Year.

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