Neighbors Assist Calmly as Officer Shot During Domestic Disturbance Response
In a harrowing incident on the northeast side of San Antonio, two police officers were wounded during a shootout while responding to a domestic disturbance. However, the brave actions of a homeowner who stepped in to help one of the wounded officers have been commended by Police Chief William McManus. The officers are expected to recover from their injuries.
The incident unfolded on Thursday evening in the Escalera subdivision, leaving residents in shock as their quiet corner erupted in gunfire. Don Seiler, a witness to the chaos, expressed his unease, stating, “We were really shaken by what was going on. It just got out of hand.” Seiler, who lives two doors down from the suspect, Jesus Prado, was compelled to intervene when he heard shouting.
The situation took a distressing turn as Prado threatened to burn down his own house, causing his children to fearfully choose between their parents. Seiler described the heart-wrenching scene, saying, “One of the saddest parts was one girl didn’t want to go with her mother and the other wanted to go with dad.” Fortunately, the mother managed to safely evacuate the children from the volatile situation.
When officers arrived at the scene, they discovered that Prado had doused his house in gasoline. In an effort to protect the community, the officers instructed residents to seek shelter inside their homes. Seiler explained the challenges faced by the neighborhood children, who were confused by the commotion. He recounted, “They were gathered because they knew something unusual was going on… Then, the neighbor across the street corralled them and took them inside to the back of their house.”
Meanwhile, Prado, armed with a long gun, opened fire on the officers from a second-story window. In response, the officers returned fire, resulting in two of them being struck. Joshua Rael, who was present on his front porch, found himself face-to-face with one of the wounded officers seeking refuge. Rael shared the officer’s plea for assistance, recalling, “He asked me, ‘Can you please let me inside and shut the door behind me and lock it?'” Rael and his wife diligently followed the officer’s instructions, which included applying a tourniquet to stem the bleeding.
Rael expressed his admiration for the officer’s composure during the ordeal and emphasized the importance of first aid training for the community. He stressed, “It would be very good for people to have first aid training. It can save your life, your kids’ life.” As for Prado, he has been charged with two counts of attempted capital murder and one count of deadly conduct with a firearm. Currently, he is being held on a $3 million bond and is scheduled to appear in court on November 21.
This unsettling incident highlights the dangers that law enforcement officers face daily while working to protect and serve their communities. The resilience and quick thinking of the wounded officer, as well as the courageous actions of the homeowner, serve as a reminder of the bravery and selflessness exhibited by those who put themselves in harm’s way to keep others safe.
