Man shot in the head, killed while warning family about drive-by shooters, SAPD says

Jesus Mares Ortega, 61, had just arrived home from taking wife to work; SAPD looking for 2 people involved

A man was killed in a drive-by shooting on Monday, April 1, 2024, at a home in the 1600 block of West French Place. (Misael Gomez, Copyright 2024 by KSAT - All rights reserved.)

SAN ANTONIO – A man was killed in a drive-by shooting on the Northwest Side on Monday morning and San Antonio police are investigating if it is related to several other shooting calls in the area.

The Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the victim as Jesus Mares Ortega, 61.

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San Antonio police said at least one person fired 10-15 shots at a home in the 1600 block of West French Place, not far from Woodlawn Avenue and Interstate 10, just before 5:15 a.m.

Ortega had just arrived home from taking his wife to work when he was met by a black sedan or SUV outside.

Someone inside the vehicle fired four shots in his direction.

Ortega ran inside the home and warned his family, but more shots were fired into the house and he was hit in the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Another man and his two kids were inside the house, and they were not injured.

Police said they believe two people were inside the suspect vehicle.

There were several other shooting calls in the area about an hour before the deadly incident. Police are investigating if they are related.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.


About the Authors

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

Misael started at KSAT-TV as a photojournalist in 1987.

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