The suspect has been identified as 58 year-old Richard Asbell, and he is facing four counts of aggravated assault of a public servant.
SAN ANTONIO — A burglary suspect is in the hospital after allegedly opening fire on San Antonio police officers late Friday night, prompting officers to return fire.
The suspect, identified as 58-year-old Richard Asbell, is facing four counts of aggravated assault of a public servant. His total bond has been set at $800,000, according to police.
The shooting occurred just after 10 p.m. at a Public Storage facility in the 7600 block of Fredericksburg Road, near Bluemel Road in the city’s Medical Center area.
Officers responded to a reported burglary in progress and located a man inside one of the storage units toward the back of the property.
“He fired three times, about three times at the officers,” said San Antonio Police Chief William McManus. One of the officers returned fire, striking the suspect multiple times.
No officers were injured in the incident.
The officer who shot Asbell is a probationary officer with less than one year of service, according to SAPD. That officer has been placed on administrative duty, which is standard department policy following officer-involved shootings.
Emergency medical services, the fire department, and crime scene investigators also responded to the scene.
This marks the 13th officer-involved shooting involving San Antonio police this year and the second just this week.
On Wednesday, Oct. 15, two officers were shot outside a hotel on the Far West Side near Highway 90 and West Military Drive.
In that case, police said the suspect, 36-year-old Odon Paul Bustos, had been taunting officers before opening fire. Three officers returned fire, killing Bustos.
Chief McManus emphasized that details from Friday night’s shooting remain preliminary and are subject to change as the investigation continues.