BEXAR COUNTY, Texas — A 71-year-old suspect died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound as deputies were attempting to arrest him in connection with a child sexual abuse investigation, according to Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar.
Deputies were serving an arrest warrant for the suspect on Wednesday at his home along Gristmill Way in Far West Bexar County.
The suspect, who Sheriff Salazar said was a military veteran and former law enforcement officer in another state, is accused of sexually abusing three young girls under the age of 14.
As deputies were approaching the home, they heard a single gunshot. Despite life-saving measures, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
The abuse allegedly began in another state and continued in Bexar County. “Once we got a hold of the case, we began investigating it, and we applied for and were granted a warrant for sexual abuse of a child under 14 years of age, which is a first-degree felony,” Salazar said.
The charge carries a five to 99-year prison sentence, or up to a year up to life in prison,
The death will be investigated as a custodial death because deputies outside the home serving the warrant when the death occurred however Salazar said no deputy used force or fired a weapon.
The deceased suspect’s identity is pending release while next of kin is being notified.