SAPD officer who wounded car burglary suspect identified

Shooting was reported around 8:15 a.m. at Oyo Hotel

UPDATE:

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Police Department has released the name of the officer who wounded a car burglary suspect outside a West Side hotel.

Mark Castillo, a 17-year veteran of the police force, was identified as the officer who shot a suspected car burglar in the leg Thursday morning.

SAPD officials could not identify the suspect but said that when he is released from the hospital, he will face charges of burglary of a vehicle, resisting arrest and assault on a public servant.

ORIGINAL:

A San Antonio police officer shot a suspected car burglar in the leg when he believed he was on the "losing end" of a fight outside a hotel on the city's West Side early Thursday morning.

The shooting was called in around 8:15 a.m. at the Oyo Hotel in the 2400 block of Southwest Loop 410, not far from Airlift Avenue and Marbach Road.

According to San Antonio police Chief William McManus, the officer had responded to reports of a man burglarizing vehicles in the parking lot just outside the hotel.

McManus said the officer first tried to de-escalate the situation but a struggle ensued. The officer attempted to pepper-spray the man but it had no effect, police said.

The altercation eventually took the officer to the ground and he was unable to subdue the man. The officer, believing he was on the losing end of the fight, felt it was necessary to use deadly force to protect himself, McManus said.

Police said the officer shot the man in the back of the leg. The man was taken to an area hospital with a non-life-threatening injury. The officer was shaken, but not injured in the incident, police said.

The unidentified San Antonio police officer is a 17-year veteran of the force. He will remain on administrative duty at least until the investigation is complete, McManus said.

This is the second reported shooting in the area within the last month. When asked, McManus said he "didn't know if the area is a problem area."

This is a developing story. Stay with KSAT 12 both online and on-air for more information.


About the Authors:

Ben Spicer is a digital journalist who works the early morning shift for KSAT.

Tiffany Huertas is a reporter for KSAT 12 known for her in-depth storytelling and her involvement with the community.