7 Officers Hit By Gunfire While Responding To Call

Seven San Antonio police officers were shot during a standoff with an armed suspect, leaving the community shaken and raising questions about officer safety.

Key Takeaways

Seven police officers were shot while responding to a “suicide in progress” call in San Antonio, Texas.
The suspect, a man in his 40s with a prior criminal record, was found deceased after the standoff.
All injured officers are expected to survive, with non-life-threatening injuries.
The incident began with a 911 call about a suicidal family member and quickly escalated.
The suspect was out on bond for recent arrests, including assault and driving while intoxicated.

Tragedy Unfolds in San Antonio

On January 22, a routine emergency call in San Antonio, Texas, turned into a harrowing ordeal for local law enforcement. Seven police officers were shot while responding to what was initially reported as a “suicide in progress” call on Stone Oak Parkway. The incident, which began just before 9 p.m. local time, quickly escalated into a dangerous standoff that left the community on edge.

Authorities provided details on the unfolding tragedy, stating, “Officers were initially responding to a suicide in progress. The first officer arrived after a family member called police.” As responding officers arrived on the scene, they were met with gunfire from the suspect, a man in his 40s with a prior criminal record.

7 Police Officers Shot While Responding to 'Suicide in Progress' Call in Texas, Authorities Say https://t.co/4382bMLyl7

— People (@people) January 23, 2025

Officers Under Fire

The situation deteriorated rapidly as more officers arrived at the scene. Chief McManus described the sequence of events, saying, “The first officer arrived, was shot, and six others subsequent to that were shot as well.” The officers, with 4-8 years of service, were caught in a dangerous situation that underscores the unpredictable nature of law enforcement work.

As the situation unfolded, the San Antonio Police Department’s SWAT team was called to the scene. Residents of the apartment complex were evacuated for their safety, while others who couldn’t be safely removed were instructed to shelter in place. The community was left in a state of tension as law enforcement worked to resolve the standoff.

A Community on Edge

Local resident Joseph Loredo described the frightening scene, recounting hearing gunshots and helicopters during the incident. The normally quiet Stone Oak neighborhood was transformed into a scene of chaos and fear as the standoff continued into the night. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that can lurk even in seemingly peaceful communities.

As the standoff continued, law enforcement agencies worked diligently to de-escalate the situation and apprehend the suspect. Chief McManus provided updates throughout the night, keeping the community informed while working to bring the incident to a safe conclusion. The professionalism and bravery of the officers involved in this dangerous situation deserve recognition and respect.

Tragic Conclusion

After several tense hours, the standoff came to an end when law enforcement entered the apartment unit. Chief McManus reported the grim discovery: “At the end of the event the suspect was found to be deceased, we don’t know if he was shot by a self-inflicted wound or whether or not he was shot by squad officers.” The exact circumstances of the suspect’s death remain under investigation.

In the aftermath of this tragic event, it was revealed that the suspect had prior arrests on January 18 for assault and driving while intoxicated and was out on bond at the time of the incident.