SAN ANTONIO — A south-side man is recalling the moment San Antonio police shot and killed a murder suspect Tuesday night.
Investigators said the man, later identified as John Garcia, had fired off at least one shot towards them before they returned fire.
It happened on South Flores Street near Barrett Avenue.
The man who said he witnessed the incident was visiting his mom who lived around the corner. He did not want to be identified.
“It was all just all just a sad situation,” he said.
Police said around 9 p.m., they were responding to the home off South Flores Street for a welfare check of a woman who was reportedly killed.
The witness said he saw police attempting to get inside the home. About 45 minutes after he first spotted them, he heard a wreck.
“First, I heard the wreck, then ‘he’s got a gun, he’s got a … put it down, put it down, I mean there were a lot of rounds,” the man said.
Police Chief William McManus said Garcia, 46, rammed a patrol car before getting out and firing off at least one shot with a long gun. Several officers returned fire, killing him.
The witness said people who knew Garcia immediately reacted.
“They were yelling and yelling and crying and I could hear because I was right there,” he said.
None of the officers were hit.
“They all still had their pistols holding them and walking up to where he was and I guess that’s when they realized he was dead,” he said.
Police then discovered a 48-year-old woman, Lisa Ortiz, shot and killed inside the home. McManus said Garcia had an extensive criminal history.
“I believe there were 10 arrests, most of them were violent crimes,” McManus said.
McManus added Garcia was out on bond, facing a terroristic threat charge. He went on to defend his officer’s actions.
“You knew they react out of their instincts and training, you know I can’t blame them,” the witness said.