Witness describes moments leading up to fatal shooting by park police

SAN ANTONIO — In 2023 there have been 26 officer-involved shootings in San Antonio. The most recent resulted in an officer fatally shooting a suspect who police say tried taking an officer’s gun away.

San Antonio Police say a park police officer responded to Elmendorf Lake Park, for a disturbance involving a boyfriend and girlfriend. Police say when they tried to arrest the boyfriend he ran away, jumping a fence into a neighbors yard.

A neighbor we spoke with said heard and saw everything as it unfolded.  

The neighbor says he opened his door because his dogs would not stop barking. That’s when he says he saw police chasing after someone.  

Police say they chased the man to Buena Vista Street near 20th Street.  Authorities say there was a struggle and officer’s tried unsuccessfully to use a Taser on him twice.  Police say the suspect tried to take the officer’s gun away. The officer screamed for help, that’s when police say another officer then shot and killed the suspect.

The neighbor says he heard the struggle and fatal gun shot.

“I heard like 3 gun shots, but one you could hear clearly. I said that was a gunshot, and you could hear the screams from the person,” he said.

The neighbor said it’s a dangerous neighborhood. He said he’s always on the lookout for thieves after being a victim several times, but was surprised to see this happen.

He said most police are not very forgiving of your life, and when they shoot, they shoot to kill.

“It’s better to stay and let them arrest you, and take the case,” he said. “If you have a gun or drugs, take the case and don’t use your life.”

Police have not identified the suspect, but did say he had 4 outstanding warrants. One of those warrants, SAPD said, was for trying to take an officer’s gun away. Police said the man was in his 20’s, possibly late 20’s.