Jerry Tovar stressed it was all instinctive for him to sprint toward the chaos and begin rendering aid to a man who had been shot in the shoulder.
SAN ANTONIO — A Spurs superfan wasted no time Thursday night when he heard gunshots and rushed to help the shooting victim until first responders arrived.
“I’m no hero. I’m just someone that went in and saw somebody that needed help and I didn’t think about the dangers or the risk at that moment except just helping someone that was in need in a life-or-death situation,” said Jerry Tovar.
Tovar is a member of the loud and proud fan group known as the Jackals.
“Born and raised in San Antonio. As long as I can remember, I’ve always been a Spurs fan,” Tovar said. “Being away for so long on the Rodeo Road Trip and finally being home and having that energy of my Jackal family, it was amazing.”
Tovar had just left the Frost Bank Center after cheering on the Spurs who had defeated the Detroit Pistons when chaos erupted in the parking lot. He ended up sprinting toward the commotion and got to work, tending to a man who was shot twice in the shoulder.
“[I] hear two gunshots, roll down my window to see what was happening. I see the gentleman, the victim laying on the ground and the wife yelling hysterical pleading for help,” Tovar said. “A bystander was able to give me a muscle shirt and I put it like a torniquet above the wound trying to put pressure. I wrapped it around like a towel trying to put some pressure on there.”
Tovar also began performing chest compressions on the victim who he said became unconscious.
“He was pretty much out of it. He was in intense pain,” Tovar said.
Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar noted the man had been shot after confronting Isaac Anthony Jimenez, who was driving a pickup and backed into an SUV in the parking lot then attempted to leave.
Salazar noted the dispute led to Jimenez firing off several rounds, hitting the victim who was taken to the hospital in critical condition.
Salazar praised the assistance provided by an off-duty nurse and a BCSO deputy who both rendered aid to the victim as well.
Casey Heverling, senior vice president of fan experience at Spurs Sports and Entertainment, provided this statement in response to the incident:
“Our prayers are with the victim and his family. Providing a safe environment for our fans is a core area of focus for all of us at Frost Bank Center. We are thankful to our partners at the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office who acted quickly, with purpose, to assist the victim and detain the suspect.”
Jimenez was arrested and faces a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Authorities say more charges could be coming.
The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office urged residents to follow these guidelines to stay safe in future situations:
• Avoid Direct Confrontation: Minor incidents can escalate rapidly. Do not physically or verbally engage with aggressive individuals.
• Observe and Document: The best way to help is to be an effective witness. From a safe distance, note the vehicle’s make, model, and license plate.
• Record Safely: If it is safe to do so, video evidence is incredibly valuable to our investigators.
• Cooperate with First Responders: Allow deputies and medical personnel the space they need to secure the scene and provide life-saving measures.