Sale of rims, tires, lead police to suspected killer of SAPD Detective Benjamin Marconi

Arrest warrant affidavit details clues into arrest of Otis Tyrone McKane

SAN ANTONIO – The sale of rims and tires to Otis McKane, the man who San Antonio police said assassinated Detective Benjamin Marconi, led detectives to the capital murder suspect, according to an arrest affidavit.

The affidavit said that a man who works at a tire rental business at 813 Bandera Road contacted police Monday morning after he saw news reports about Marconi's slaying and investigation.

The man told police investigators that he recognized McKane as a customer who he sold rims and tires several weeks ago for a black Mitsibushi Galant, the car that police said the suspect was driving, the affidavit said.

The worker told police that McKane went to the business often to make payments on the tires and rims and that he had paperwork documenting the sale, the affidavit said.

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Another key witness who helped police arrest McKane was a man who told investigators that he witnessed the fatal shooting around 11:45 a.m. Sunday in front of police headquarters.

The witness said that he saw McKane park his car behind Marconi's police cruiser, get out of his car and shot the officer, the affidavit said.

On Tuesday, the witness was shown a picture by police of McKane and five other people who looked like him, the affidavit said. The witness immediately picked out the suspect from the picture, the affidavit said.

An arrest warrant was secured, and McKane was apprehended by police Tuesday afternoon.

When he was being escorted by police to the Bexar County Jail, McKane told reporters that he was mad at society for not letting him see his son, who is at the center of a custody battle.

"I've been through several custody battles, and I was upset at the system I was in, and I lashed out at somebody who didn’t deserve it,” McKane said.

McKane was charged with capital murder.

Bexar County District Attorney Nico LaHood said that he will review the case before deciding whether to pursue the death penalty. 

Funeral arrangements for Detective Marconi are as follows:

A public viewing will be held at Porter Loring at 1101 McCullough Avenue on Sunday from 3:00-7:00 p.m. A rosary will take place at 7:00 p.m.

A private processional will be held Monday morning at 10 a.m. from Porter Loring to Community Bible Church. It will include the hearse, the Marconi family, SAPD motorcycles and SAPD marked units only.

The processional route will be from McCullough to I-35 North, 281 North, Eastbound Loop 1604, Gold Canyon to the Community Bible Church property.

A funeral service will be held Monday at 11 a.m. at the Community Bible Church at 2477 Loop 1604. A reception will be held after the service and will be open to all attendees. 

Below is a detailed timeline on the manhunt and arrest for McKane after the shooting of Det. Marconi: 

Below is a timeline of the SAPD officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty since 2000:


About the Author

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

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