SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Police Department said it is investigating what led up to a suspect shooting and killing himself while in custody on Thursday afternoon.
According to SAPD Chief William McManus, authorities began pursuing a person they suspected of driving a vehicle with stolen license plates on the South Side.
The pursuit continued from the South Side to the North Side with the help of SAPD’s EAGLE helicopter keeping track of the suspect, McManus said.
At some point, the chief said the suspect pulled into a parking lot in the 8300 block of McCullough Avenue and began fleeing from the vehicle. Officers nearby were able to apprehend the suspect, handcuff them and place them in the back of an SAPD patrol vehicle.
While the officers were talking amongst themselves, McManus said the suspect, while still handcuffed, got a hold of his own weapon and shot himself in the head.
The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene, the chief said.
KSAT asked McManus if the two SAPD officers patted the suspect down before handcuffing them.
“That will all be looked at in the investigation, so I don’t know at this point,” McManus said.
At this time, no additional information on the suspect is known.
The two responding officers have four and five years of experience with the police department, according to McManus. The officers’ identities have not been released.
The chief said no witnesses saw or heard the gunshot when it went off.
Watch McManus’ full news conference in the below video player.
According to a KSAT Investigates analysis, Thursday’s death is SAPD’s first in-custody death of the year.
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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