SAN ANTONIO — A burglary suspect was killed in an exchange of gunfire with SWAT team officers following a standoff at a house in San Antonio, police said.
Juan Antonio Hernandez, 52, died Tuesday evening, San Antonio police said in a statement.
“They called him out to surrender and instead of doing that he came out shooting,” Police Chief William McManus told reporters. “He fired somewhere around four to five rounds, struck the two SWAT vehicles and two SWAT officers returned fire.”
Hernandez died in a hospital, McManus said. No one else was injured.
The police chief did not identify the officers or say how many times they fired or how many times Hernandez was struck,
Hernandez was wanted for burglary, domestic violence and evading arrest, McManus said.
The police department’s shooting team and internal affairs investigators will conduct separate investigations into the shooting and provide reports to the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office.
On the night of July 15th, police in San Antonio were involved in a fatal shooting of a burglary suspect after a tense standoff. The incident occurred in the early hours of the morning, when officers responded to a call about a break-in at a local business. Upon arrival, they encountered the suspect, who was armed and refusing to surrender.
The standoff lasted for several hours, with negotiators attempting to persuade the suspect to peacefully surrender. However, the situation quickly escalated when the suspect began firing shots at the officers. In response, the police were forced to defend themselves and ultimately fired back, resulting in the suspect being fatally wounded.
This tragic incident highlights the dangers that law enforcement officers face on a daily basis while trying to protect and serve their communities. It also raises questions about the use of deadly force in such situations and the protocols that are in place to ensure the safety of both officers and suspects.
In San Antonio, as in many other cities across the country, police officers are trained to use deadly force as a last resort when faced with a life-threatening situation. While the circumstances surrounding this particular incident are still under investigation, it is clear that the officers involved were forced to make a split-second decision in order to protect themselves and others.
The shooting has sparked debate among community members about police tactics and the need for better de-escalation techniques in high-pressure situations. Some have questioned whether the use of lethal force was necessary in this case, while others have expressed support for the officers’ actions in defending themselves against an armed suspect.
As the investigation into this incident continues, it is important for all parties involved to remain calm and allow the facts to come to light. It is also crucial for law enforcement agencies to review their policies and procedures regarding the use of deadly force, in order to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
Ultimately, the shooting of the burglary suspect in San Antonio serves as a sobering reminder of the risks that police officers face in the line of duty. It is a tragic outcome that highlights the complex and challenging nature of law enforcement work, and underscores the need for ongoing dialogue and collaboration between police departments and the communities they serve.
