By MES Dispatch Staff
The Briefing
- Bexar County Sheriff’s Office deputies fired on a man armed with two large knives resembling short samurai-style swords on June 23 around 6:30 p.m. after he advanced toward them during an apparent mental health crisis.
- Three deputies attempted to establish communication with the suspect and repeatedly ordered him to drop his weapons; the man remained largely unresponsive until emerging from behind a stone pillar and moving toward officers in a serpentine pattern.
- The suspect was struck at least twice and transported to a hospital in critical condition; he is undergoing surgery and expected to survive.
- Deputies had responded to a call involving the same individual the previous evening, when the man did not meet criteria for mental health detention and stated his intention to seek hospital treatment voluntarily.
- A 16-year veteran deputy fired the shots; both he and other responding deputies have been placed on administrative leave pending investigation and psychological evaluations.
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS — Bexar County Sheriff’s Office deputies discharged their firearms at an armed man on June 23 after the suspect advanced toward them while holding two large bladed weapons during an incident involving a reported mental health crisis.
Sheriff Javier Salazar stated that deputies responded at approximately 6:30 p.m. to a report of a suspicious person on a residential front porch. Callers indicated a man armed with several knives who appeared to be experiencing a mental health episode.
Upon arrival, deputies located an Asian male believed to be in his 30s standing near the porch of a residence. The man was armed with two large knives that resembled short samurai-style swords. Three deputies attempted to establish communication with the suspect while issuing repeated commands to drop the weapons.
The suspect remained largely unresponsive and concealed himself behind a stone pillar on the porch. Deputies continued ordering him to cease advancing and to disarm. According to Salazar, the man eventually emerged from behind the pillar and began advancing toward deputies while holding both knives, moving in a serpentine pattern as the distance closed between himself and law enforcement personnel.
After the suspect allegedly ignored repeated commands to stop and drop the weapons, one deputy discharged multiple rounds. The man was struck at least twice and was transported to a hospital in critical condition. Salazar stated the suspect was undergoing surgical treatment and was expected to survive his injuries.
Investigators are still working to confirm the suspect’s identity. Authorities believe he resides in the neighborhood where the incident occurred. Sheriff Salazar noted that deputies had responded to a call involving the same individual on the previous evening, June 22. At that time, the man did not meet the criteria required for involuntary mental health detention and told deputies he intended to seek treatment at a hospital of his own volition.
On the day of the shooting, a specialized mental health unit was dispatched to the scene but would not have assumed primary contact responsibilities given the suspect’s armed status. Salazar explained that deputies made contact due to concern the man could attempt to enter nearby homes while armed.
The deputy who fired the shots is a 16-year veteran of the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office and has served approximately three years in patrol assignment after previously working in the county jail. Consistent with agency policy, the involved deputies have been placed on administrative leave pending completion of the investigation and psychological evaluations.
Separate concurrent investigations are being conducted by the Sheriff’s Office Public Integrity Unit, Internal Affairs Division, and officer-involved shooting investigators. Based on his preliminary review of body-worn camera footage, Sheriff Salazar stated that deputies spent several minutes attempting to de-escalate the encounter before the suspect advanced while armed with the weapons.