2 San Antonio police officers critically injured, hospitalized after shootout

The two officers are expected to survive.

A domestic disturbance call nearly turned deadly for two San Antonio Police Department officers Thursday night, October 19.
Theo Esquivel

MYSA
By Zachary-Taylor Wright
October 20, 2023

A domestic disturbance call nearly turned deadly for two San Antonio Police Department officers Thursday night, October 19, as an angry father opened fire on two responding officers, striking both. The officers were transported to a local hospital where they underwent surgery for their injuries, according to a media briefing with SAPD Police Chief William McManus.

San Antonio police were originally called to the 1600 block of Amistad Pass for a family disturbance call. When the two officers arrived on the scene, they reportedly found an enraged father attempted to pick up his children from his wife. The father was allegedly dousing the mother's home in gasoline, attempting to set the house on fire.

As one officer radioed in from the cul de sac, the father began to open fire, striking the law enfocement agent three times – twice in the legs and once in the torso, according to McManus.

“These kinds of calls are very volatile,” McManus said. “They’re very dangerous because the emotions involved in many cases, and this was one of those cases. The officers were very lucky. That’s where we are at right now.”

The second officer reportedly suffered from a bullet wound to his upper extremities but was able to make his way back to his patrol car to radio in for backup and retrieved his long-range rifle to return fire. McManus said the second officer made his way to a car next door to the gunman and began returning fire. By the time backup officers arrived, the gunman came down stairs and surrendered.

“We’re very fortunate tonight that we didn’t have two police officers killed,” McManus said with a somber tone. “We didn’t have the officers that went in to extract them injured. We’re very, very fortunate tonight.”

Around 60 rounds were fired, in total, according to McManus, but he said there is no confirmation of the number as shell casings had not been counted yet. There were reportedly no other injuries, including the mother and children, and both police officers involved were expected to survive their injuries. 

The gunman will likely face charges of attempted capital murder and "whatever other charges" may be filed against him, according to McManus.