SAN ANTONIO, Texas — The San Antonio Police Department released bodycam footage of a Jan. 22 incident in which a military veteran ambushed and wounded seven officers before being fatally shot by SWAT officers, the San Antonio Express-News reported.
The suspect, a 46-year-old Navy veteran, called 911 that evening, reporting that he was suicidal and armed. He warned dispatchers that he would shoot at officers if they approached. The suspect’s mother also called 911, reporting that her son had taken her gun and was firing outside their apartment.
“They better be careful. I have high-power rifles and everything. If they come at me, I’m coming at them,” the man told 911.
Ambush and shootout
As officers arrived at the apartment and approached the breezeway, the suspect fired shots at them.
“I’m hit! I’m hit!” an officer can be heard shouting in body worn camera video.
An officer in SAPD’s helicopter told officers on the ground that the suspect had moved behind a truck near a building, “preparing to ambush them,” SAPD said in a critical incident briefing.
“Eagle, Eagle, Eagle. He is at the back of that building. He’s pointing the gun at me,” an officer can be heard saying in the aerial video.
Th suspect then took cover under the the truck. He suddently emerged from under the truck, pointed a firearm at the officers and then retreated into his apartment. He continued to shoot out of a window, striking additional officers.
SWAT and crisis negotiators attempted to persuade the suspect to surrender, but he refused and continued firing, according to the report. After several hours of attempted negotiations, SWAT officers positioned in armored vehicles and elevated positions returned fire, fatally shooting the suspect.
The video released by SAPD includes calls from dispatch, officers taking gunfire and the tactical response. The suspect was found with a superficial self-inflicted neck wound, and several firearms were recovered at the scene, according to the report.
Aftermath and investigation
All seven injured officers sustained non-life-threatening injuries and have since been released from the hospital. No bystanders were harmed, according to the report. The investigation remains ongoing and will be reviewed by the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office.
