BLUF: Three police officers have been charged with murder after shooting and killing a woman who was believed to be experiencing a mental health crisis.
San Antonio Police Chief William McManus stated that the officers’ actions did not align with the department’s policies and training. The officers, identified as Officer Nathaniel Villalobos, Officer Eleazar Alejandro, and Sergeant Alfred Flores, were immediately suspended without pay pending a full investigation.
The incident began when officers were dispatched to an apartment complex in response to a vandalism incident. The woman, later identified as Melissa Perez, had allegedly cut wires to a fire alarm panel. She initially spoke with the fire department in the parking lot before retreating to her apartment and locking herself inside.
Officers attempted to arrest Perez by entering her first-floor residence. During the interaction, Perez grabbed a hammer and threw a glass candle at the officers, causing minor injuries. The officers communicated with Perez for over 30 minutes through an open window.
As one officer attempted to climb over the patio railing, Perez shattered the window with the hammer. At that point, all three officers fired multiple rounds at Perez, ultimately killing her.
Chief McManus expressed condolences to Perez’s family and assured them of a thorough investigation. The San Antonio Police Department and the Internal Affairs Unit are conducting separate inquiries, and the investigation into the use of deadly force may take over a year.
The officers involved in the shooting have been charged with murder and are currently in custody. The Bexar County District Attorney’s Office will independently review the findings of the investigation.
Note: This response has been simplified for easier understanding, while retaining the essential details of the incident.