San Antonio Police Officers Charged with Murder in Fatal Shooting: Latest Update
Three members of the San Antonio Police Department have been apprehended following the shooting and subsequent death of a 46-year-old woman believed to be experiencing a mental health crisis. The two officers from SAPD and their sergeant were taken into custody just 19 hours after the incident occurred at approximately 2 a.m. on June 23, marking the highest-profile criminal investigation involving San Antonio police since the tragic shooting of a local teenager back in October 2022.
The series of events unfolded when police responded to the residence of the victim, Melissa Perez, after she tampered with her fire alarm, resulting in a law enforcement intervention. According to officials, Perez locked herself inside her unit, creating a standoff situation. Police dispatched additional officers who positioned themselves outside her front door and on her back porch.
After shattering a window with a hammer from the inside, Perez prompted one officer to open fire, missing her. Undeterred, Perez then returned to the patio door while still in possession of the hammer. At this point, the three officers who have since been arrested unleashed a barrage of bullets towards her, striking her at least twice. Tragically, Perez was pronounced dead at the scene despite the police’s attempt to render medical aid after forcefully entering the premises.
SAPD released body camera footage capturing the police response and the subsequent gunfire. Prior to the shooting, Perez could be heard shouting, “You ain’t got a warrant!” Later that same day, SAPD Chief William McManus announced the arrest of the three officers, stating that their use of deadly force was deemed “unjustified.” The officers were also suspended without pay.
Following the incident, numerous elected officials voiced their reactions. City Council member Jalen McKee-Rodriguez, a vocal advocate for police accountability, acknowledged McManus’ swift action in suspending the officers but emphasized that the community and the victim’s family deserved justice. The local activist group ACT4SA expressed strong condemnation of the shooting, asserting that the tragic loss of life could have been avoided if mental health crisis response programs had been engaged.
The arrested officers have been identified as Eleazar Alejandro, aged 28; Nathaniel Villalobos, aged 27; and 45-year-old Alfred Flores, a sergeant. Flores is the most senior among them, having served in the SAPD for 14 years, while Alejandro and Villalobos have served for five and two years, respectively. Although initially detained on individual $100,000 bonds, all three officers were released the following morning after posting bail. Former Bexar County District Attorney Nico LaHood, representing Villalobos, emphasized the gravity of the murder charges and the significance of the case making swift progress through the justice system. Similarly, Ben Sifuentes, the attorney representing Alejandro, affirmed the need for a thorough investigation to ensure justice is served. It remains unknown if Flores has obtained legal representation. A preliminary hearing for all three suspects is scheduled for July.
Melissa Perez, the victim, was a 46-year-old mother residing in San Antonio. Following the incident, her daughter, Alexis Tovar, delivered a brief statement expressing her heartbreak over the actions of the arrested SAPD officers. The family intends to pursue a civil lawsuit against the three officers, with their attorney emphasizing Perez’s mental illness and contending that the situation on June 23 should have been de-escalated through the involvement of mental health specialists.
In conclusion, the tragic shooting of Melissa Perez has prompted outrage and demands for justice. As the investigation progresses, the actions of the officers involved will be closely scrutinized, and the SAPD will face significant scrutiny regarding their training and handling of mental health crises. The grieving family’s pursuit of a civil lawsuit further underscores the need for accountability and improved methods in dealing with similar situations in the future.
