Three San Antonio police officers have been charged with murder after fatally shooting a woman inside her apartment early Friday morning. The officers, identified as Sgt. Alfred Flores, Officer Eleazar Alejandro, and Officer Nathaniel Villalobos, were taken into custody and their employment with the department has been terminated. The incident occurred in the 6200 block of Old Pearsall Road on the Southwest Side.
According to Chief William McManus, officers were called to the scene for a disturbance involving a woman destroying property. The woman, later identified as 46-year-old Melissa Pettis, was cutting wires through a fire alarm system, which is considered a felony of criminal mischief. When police contacted her, she was speaking with the San Antonio Fire Department in the parking lot.
McManus stated that Pettis was experiencing a mental health crisis and officers attempted to get her to go towards their patrol car. However, she ran back to her apartment and locked the door. Police then tried to communicate with her through an open window.
One of the officers removed the screen door from the open window on the porch, and Pettis reportedly threw a glass candle at the officer. The officers backed away and waited for more officers and a supervisor to arrive at the scene.
While one group of officers was stationed at the front of the apartment, Flores, Alejandro, and Villalobos were stationed at the back patio. They attempted to coax Pettis out of the apartment, but she refused. Two of the officers then jumped the railing and got onto the patio, where Pettis allegedly picked up a hammer and approached them from inside.
McManus stated that Pettis swung the hammer towards the officers, breaking a window. One of the officers fired his weapon, but it did not appear that Pettis was struck. She then went towards the window again, still armed with the hammer, and all three officers opened fire. Pettis was hit by gunfire at least two times and died at the scene from her injuries.
The incident has been reviewed by the department and the Bexar County District Attorney’s Civil Rights Division, and warrants have been issued for the three officers. They have been charged with murder and were taken into custody late Friday.
Chief McManus emphasized that the officers’ actions were not consistent with the department’s policy and training. Three separate investigations will follow their arrests, including two from the SAPD’s Internal Affairs and Homicide Unit and one from the DA’s Civil Rights Division.
Body camera footage of the incident has been released, showing the initial interaction between the officers and Pettis. The video may contain disturbing images and viewer discretion is advised.
The shooting has sparked outrage and calls for justice from the community. The incident highlights the ongoing issue of police use of force and the need for improved training and protocols in handling individuals experiencing mental health crises.
What measures is the San Antonio Police Department taking to address the concerns raised about their officers’ training and actions in this incident?
R and entered the apartment, while the other two officers remained outside. McManus stated that at some point, a physical altercation occurred between Pettis and the officer inside the apartment. It was during this altercation that the officers fired their weapons, striking and killing Pettis.
The three officers involved have been charged with murder and were taken into custody. Their employment with the San Antonio Police Department has been terminated. McManus emphasized that the actions of these officers do not reflect the values and training of the department.
The incident is currently under investigation and McManus has asked for transparency and impartiality throughout the process. He also expressed condolences to Pettis’ family and assured the community that the department will hold these officers accountable for their actions.
This incident comes amidst a national conversation about police violence and the need for reform. It highlights the importance of proper training and handling of situations involving individuals with mental health issues. The San Antonio Police Department, like many others across the country, has been faced with criticisms and calls for change in its approach to policing.
As the investigation continues, it is hoped that justice will be served and that the necessary steps will be taken to prevent such incidents from happening in the future. The case will undoubtedly be closely watched, as it serves as another example of the ongoing struggle between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
This tragic incident raises serious concerns about accountability and police training. It is imperative that every case of police brutality is thoroughly investigated and the officers involved held accountable. The victim and her family deserve justice, and we need to address the underlying issues that allowed such a tragic event to occur.