San Antonio police officers were responding to a “suicide in progress” call in the Stone Oak area, resulting in seven SAPD officers being struck by bullets.
SAN ANTONIO — Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales responded Monday to accusations from a U.S. congressman from Texas that lenient bail/bond policies led to the shooting of seven SAPD officers in January.
Back on Jan. 22, San Antonio police officers were responding to a “suicide in progress” call in the Stone Oak area, resulting in seven SAPD officers being struck by bullets that were allegedly fired by Brandon Poulos. In the early hours the next morning, Poulos was found dead by a SWAT team after hours of negotiations. Those officers were expected to recover from their injuries.
Rep. Chip Roy on Friday released a letter stating he was concerned that someone with a “lengthy criminal history” was released on bail ahead of allegedly committing the crime.
The letter reads in part:
“I write today with serious concerns regarding the recent incident in which an individual – with a lengthy criminal history who was released on bail – fired upon law enforcement, injuring seven San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) officers. This incident appears to be another example where lax criminal justice policies, including bail reform, have threatened the safety of Bexar County residents and our law enforcement officers.”
Monday, District Attorney Joe Gonzales responded directly to Rep. Roy’s letter, saying “I have never instructed any of my prosecutors to recommend a low bond on a serious or violent crime.”
He went on to address the Poulos case, saying in part:
“In the Poulos case, my prosecutor recommended appropriate bond amounts totaling $40,000 that were then later reduced by the magistrate judge to $35,000. The Congressman also incorrectly states that this individual had a “lengthy criminal history”. The last known arrest of Mr. Poulos at the time of the January 19th, 2025 arrest was 11 years prior for a misdemeanor domestic violence charge that was dismissed in 2014 under a prior administration. There were 2 or 3 unconfirmed cases out of California over 20 years ago. At the time my prosecutor recommended bonds on January 19th, 2025, Mr. Poulos had no arrests for over 10 years. Nothing in the information that my prosecutor reviewed at the magistrate’s office predicted that this individual would later ambush and injure 7 SAPD officers. This experienced prosecutor, like all those under my employ, who work reviewing these cases do not have the ability to predict the future.”
You can read the full response from DA Joe Gonzales below:
This comes after Chief William McManus also criticized the bond system shortly after the shooting.
“The explanation – I call it an excuse – but the explanation that I get is that everybody according to the Texas Constitution is entitled to a bond or a bail,” McManus said at the time.
The Texas Constitution should be amended, according to McManus.
“Instead of saying everyone is guaranteed a bond, or is eligible for bond, it should say everyone should be considered or could be considered for a bond – not that they should have it,” McManus said.