SAN ANTONIO — A grieving family is searching for answers after a man was fatally shot by a park police officer. It happened on Sunday in the 3400 block of Buena Vista Street.
San Antonio Police Chief William McManus said officers were called to Elmendorf Lake Park by a woman who claimed her boyfriend was wanted on several warrants. When officers arrived, Ray Anthony Garcia, 27, allegedly took off running. McManus says he ran into a backyard.
According to SAPD, Garcia then approached the two officers in an “aggressive manner.”
That’s when Park Police Officer Mark DeLaCruz got into a physical altercation with Garcia, authorities say.
“During the struggle, the officer attempted to Tase the suspect, I believe twice,” McManus said at the scene. “Didn’t have any effect on him.”
Authorities say Garcia then reached for DeLaCruz’s service gun, which is when Park Police Officer Juan Cardona allegedly shot and killed him.
Garcia was the father to a young girl, and died one day before his 28th birthday. His family says the limited information they have received about the incident isn’t adding up.
“We are definitely confused,” said Garcia’s sister, Alexis Aguirre. “At first it was, ‘He was Tased twice, shot two times.’ Now it’s, ‘They tried to Tase him, but they weren’t successful Tasing him and he was shot once.’ We want to know what happened.”
Garcia is the 14th person killed by San Antonio police this year. Records show there have been 26 officer-involved shootings in 2023.
“I don’t want for him to be another number,” cried Garcia’s grandmother.
“It’s unexplainable,” said Aguirre. “There’s really nothing that can describe the pain that we are all going through.”
Garcia’s family is left with questions they believe only the body camera footage can answer.
“My brother never carried a gun; he never had a weapon on him, ever,” said Garcia’s brother, Jose Rodriguez.
“They could have done something else," said Garcia's mother, Rose Aguirre. "Why shoot to kill?”
Garcia’s body was transported to Rio Grande City this week, according to love ones. A GoFundMe has been set up to help with funeral arrangements.
Bexar County records show Garcia served time for vehicle theft. SAPD said he was wanted on four warrants out of Dimmit County. Authorities there, however, would not release information on the charges.
Garcia’s family says the 27-year-old "wasn’t perfect," but they believe the use of deadly force was excessive. Loved ones are expected to review the police footage next week.
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