The shooting happened around 9:30 a.m. in the 1600 block of Fitch Street near West Southcross Boulevard at Columbia Heights Elementary school.
SAN ANTONIO — An SAPD officer was shot by his own pistol Tuesday morning in what police are calling a tragic accident.
The shooting happened around 9:30 a.m. in the 1600 block of Fitch Street near West Southcross Boulevard at Columbia Heights Elementary school.
SAPD Chief William McManus, who gave remarks at the scene, said the officer had reported for state-mandated training at the school. He was reportedly gathering his belongings to take inside when his pistol went off accidentally.
Another officer who was also arriving found him lying beside his pickup truck. He was transported to University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
McManus remembered him fondly as a well-respected officer. He had been in law enforcement for 30 years and was close to retirement.
“He was a good officer, always up, always joking. He never seemed to have a care in the world, and then this happened,” McManus said. “This is a sad day for SAPD.”
The training taking place was called Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) and is required by the state of Texas.