At least 10 San Antonio police officers opened fire on a man after he allegedly pointed a shotgun at them just west of downtown Friday night, according to Police Chief Jesse Salame.
The man, who police described as being in his 30s, was struck multiple times and rushed to a San Antonio hospital in critical condition before having surgery, according to Salame.
Officers were first called to the 500 block of Ruiz Street for reports of a man armed with a gun at the Pik Nik Foods convenience store. Police found the man a short distance away in the parking lot of the Kozy Korner Saloon near Ruiz and San Marcos streets.
Salame said the man had a duffel bag and was moving between vehicles in the parking lot. Officers could see what appeared to be a gun inside the bag, according to police.
Officers used “less-than-lethal beanbag rounds” and repeatedly ordered the man to put down the bag and surrender. That’s when Salame said the man eventually stepped out from behind a vehicle, allegedly racked a shotgun and pointed it toward officers.
At least 10 officers then opened fire, striking the man multiple times. A shotgun was recovered next to him, according to SAPD.
Salame said investigators were still working to determine how many shots were fired and whether the man fired the shotgun. No officers were injured in the shooting.
Several witnesses were taken downtown to provide statements to investigators. SAPD’s homicide and internal affairs units are investigating the shooting, and police are also reviewing surveillance video from the area.
The man’s identity has not yet been released.