San Antonio police reported that an off‑duty officer was involved in a shooting incident on the North Side Saturday afternoon. The officer, who was not on duty at the time, called 911 around 5 p.m. after a driver allegedly engaged in aggressive driving and pursued the officer’s vehicle near the intersection of Northeast Loop 410 and Airport Boulevard.
Sequence of events
According to the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD), the suspect, a 50‑year‑old man, was driving erratically, cutting across multiple lanes and striking another vehicle before pulling up alongside the officer’s stopped car. The officer said he believed the driver might draw a firearm, prompting him to retrieve his service weapon and fire at the suspect’s vehicle.
Police said the suspect fled the scene after the shots were fired. Emergency services later located the man at a residence after receiving a call for a person with a gunshot wound. He was transported to a local hospital where his injuries were classified as non‑life‑threatening.
Investigation and officer status
The SAPD confirmed that the investigation remains ongoing. It has not yet disclosed whether the officer will face any administrative action regarding his off‑duty status or the use of his weapon. KSAT has reached out to the department for comment, but no further details have been released at this time.
Community response
Local residents expressed a mix of concern for public safety and curiosity about the circumstances that led an off‑duty officer to fire his weapon. Some community members highlighted the importance of officers being able to protect themselves when faced with potential threats, while others called for a thorough review of the incident to ensure that force was used appropriately.
The incident underscores the challenges law‑enforcement officers face when off duty, especially in situations that may quickly become dangerous. It also raises questions about how police departments handle off‑duty conduct and the protocols that guide officers in self‑defense scenarios.
Next steps
SAPD officials said they will continue to gather evidence, interview witnesses, and review dash‑cam and body‑camera footage as it becomes available. The department pledged transparency throughout the investigative process and indicated that any findings related to the officer’s actions or the suspect’s conduct will be shared with the public.
For now, the suspect remains hospitalized, and the officer’s name has not been released pending the outcome of the investigation.
Original reporting: San Antonio, TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.