SAN ANTONIO — A welfare check on the west side of San Antonio led to the discovery of a woman with multiple stab wounds Tuesday night.
At about 11 p.m., San Antonio police responded to a welfare check call in the 100 block of Division Avenue. Family members were concerned after a recent family violence incident from early July. Based on investigation, the victim had gone to the home alone and had not been heard from for several hours.
Upon arrival, SAPD had to wait for a family member to open the door to the house. Once inside, a woman in her 40s was found unresponsive with multiple stab wounds. She was pronounced dead on arrival by EMS.
The suspect, identified as 52-year-old James Mendoza, was also found in the home with self-inflicted wounds to the torso and wrist. Mendoza was taken to a local hospital in stable condition before being booked for murder.
This is still an ongoing investigation.
The suspect in this case, James Mendoza, was involved in a separate incident on July 10, 2024 where police said he pointed a gun near a woman's head and pulled the trigger.
An affidavit obtained by KENS 5 details what happened that day at Mendoza's home.
It says the victim had shown up to Mendoza's home to retrieve some clothes. When he got upset that she had been gone for awhile authorities said he pointed a gun at his head.
Police said when the woman moved closer to him Mendoza pointed the gun at her.
When the victim called 911 police said Mendoza pointed the gun at her and pulled the trigger shooting near her head.
The woman was able to get away and police searched the home.
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