SAN ANTONIO – A 16-year-old was taken to the hospital after he was shot by a San Antonio police officer on Monday morning, SAPD Chief William McManus said.
Two officers were dispatched just before 9:30 a.m. in the 300 block of West Dickson Avenue. They were told the boy had knives and was attempting to hurt himself while he was home alone, McManus said.
The officers called a supervisor for further instruction on what to do because the minor was home alone.
While they were on the phone, McManus said the teen went outside with two knives.
The teen threw a knife toward one of the officers, who then deployed his Taser, the chief said. The prongs failed to attach, and the officer was unable to subdue the teen.
The teen then ran toward the officer with the other knife, and the officer shot at the teen. The 16-year-old was hit in his shoulder and thigh, according to McManus.
The teen was taken to a nearby hospital.
SAPD had been previously called out to the home for mental health responses. McManus said SA Core would not have come out to try to resolve this mental health call because the teen had knives.
This is SAPD’s 11th police shooting of the year, and the third in the last 17 days. Seven of those shootings have been fatal.
Monday is the fourth non-fatal shooting.
McManus said both officers have about six years of service with the department.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or thoughts of suicide, call 988 or text TALK to 741-741.
You can also reach out to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) or the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) at 210-223-7233 (SAFE) or 800-316-9241. You can also text NAMI to 741-741.
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