SAN ANTONIO — A shooting suspect has died after an exchange of gunfire with police resulted in him being struck on San Antonio's east side Tuesday afternoon.
SAPD Chief William McManus said officers responded to the area of Essex and Hackberry after the unidentified suspect shot someone in the leg at a nearby carwash, potentially over money.
A large contingent of officers were on the scene within a half-hour, some of them with their guns visibly drawn. According to McManus, the suspect ran down the street and stood between two vehicles "shielded by the doors" while trying to evade arrest.
McManus says he fired 26 shots from an AR-15 rifle toward police; no officers were hurt, but bullets struck nearby vehicles and homes.
One officer eventually fired a single shot, hitting the 33-year-old suspect, who McManus said has "an extensive history" with law enforcement.
"Tactically they handled the situation very, very wisely," McManus said. “This all happened so fast there was no opportunity to do anything other than take cover and neutralize the shooter.”
The suspect was taken to the hospital Tuesday in critical condition. Friday, SAPD reported the suspect died. He was identified as 34-year-old Paul Palafox.
This is the sixth shooting involving law enforcement in San Antonio this year, and the fifth involving SAPD officers.
>MORE LOCAL NEWS:
>TRENDING ON KENS 5 YOUTUBE:
---
Learn more about KENS 5:
Since going on the air in 1950, KENS 5 has strived to be the best, most trusted news and entertainment source for generations of San Antonians.
KENS 5 has brought numerous firsts to South Texas television, including being the first local station with a helicopter, the first with its own Doppler radar and the first to air a local morning news program.
Over the years, KENS 5 has worked to transform local news. Our cameras have been the lens bringing history into local viewers' homes. We're proud of our legacy as we serve San Antonians today.
Today, KENS 5 continues to set the standard in local broadcasting and is recognized by its peers for excellence and innovation. The KENS 5 News team focuses on stories that really matter to our community.
You can find KENS 5 in more places than ever before, including KENS5.com, the KENS 5 app, the KENS 5 YouTube channel, KENS 5's Roku and Fire TV apps, and across social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and more!
Want to get in touch with someone at KENS 5? You can send a message using our Contacts page or email one of our team members.