SAN ANTONIO — Police were checking the home of a potential murder victim in south San Antonio when officials say the suspect returned to the scene and shot at officers who then returned fire.
The suspect, identified as 46-year-old John Garcia, was killed at the scene, SAPD Chief William McManus said. No officers were hurt in the sudden attack Tuesday night.
"He fired what appeared to be a shotgun right at the officer, (but) didn't hit him," he said.
According to McManus, someone called SAPD to report Garcia saying he had killed his partner sometime Monday night. Several officers responded to the area of Barrett and South Flores around 9 p.m. and found the victim, 48-year-old Lisa Ortiz, dead from gunshot wounds.
About 45 minutes later, things turned chaotic.
"The suspect pulled back up in a vehicle and rammed a patrol car," McManus said. "Once he rammed the patrol car, he pulled out a gun and fired at an officer standing nearby."
It's unknown how many shots Garcia fired, but seven officers in all were involved. The investigation into this fourth shooting involving SAPD so far this year is still in its early stages.
McManus said Garcia had an extensive history of violent criminal offenses and was out on bond.
“Officers did exactly what they should have done," he said. "They followed their training, defending themselves against deadly force.”
The officers involved in the incident have been placed on administrative duty during the investigation, per department protocol. The officers include Officer Anthony Brown, who has eight years of service with SAPD, and was also a victim in the shooting.
Other officers involved:
- Sergeant Kevin Nogle, 30 years of service
- Daniel Villarreal, five years of service
- Thomas Rivas, five years of service
- Probationary Officer Daniel Hooker, one month of service
- Nathaniel Linville, four years of service
- Henry Galindo, four years of service
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