San Antonio officers shot expected to fully recover; suspect named, reports say
This story contains mention of suicide and possible domestic violence. If you are at risk of suicide, please stop here and contact 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for support. Those facing domestic abuse can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit its website for a virtual chat.
Most of the San Antonio police officers shot while trying to de-escalate a possible suicide Wednesday are heading home to recover, the San Antonio Police Department said in a Facebook post.
San Antonio police did not immediately respond to Paste BN's requests for comment, but local television stations KSAT and WOAI report that the deceased suspected shooter has been identified as 46-year-old Brandon Scott Poulos.
Chief William McManus updated community members in multiple videos this week, noting that a family member called about Poulos. According to McManus, he had previously been arrested three times Saturday, twice for assault and once for DWI.
What happened on Wednesday?
The shooting happened Wednesday just before 8:30 p.m. when police were called about a person in crisis, according to one of the social media updates. When officers arrived, the suspect began shooting at responding officers, hitting seven of them.
“The suspect barricaded himself inside the apartment for several hours,” McManus said early Thursday morning. “At the end of the event, the suspect was found to be deceased. We don’t know if he was shot by a self-inflicted wound or whether or not he was shot by squad officers.”
Since the shooting on Wednesday, six of those officers have been released from the hospital to recover at home, the police department said. The officer remaining at the hospital is expected to make a full recovery.
“We are reminded of the sacrifices our officers make every day and night to keep our community safe,” the department said online. “Please keep these officers and their family in your thoughts and prayers for a quick recovery.”
More on the suspect and the incident leading up to shootout
According to court records and a preliminary report obtained by television station KSAT, Poulos assaulted two people in their 80s and pulled a woman by her hair on Saturday. Three people told police Poulos showed up at a home intoxicated. When people at the residence confronted Poulos about his behavior, an argument ensued, which led to a physical confrontation.
Poulos allegedly pushed an 81-year-old woman to the ground, which caused her to hit her head. A 44-year-old woman intervened and was also pushed to the ground, according to police. Poulos also dragged the woman by her hair, KSAT reported.
When an 83-year-old man tried to intervene, Poulos hit him in the face, police said. Poulos left but was arrested after his crashed vehicle was discovered not far from the home where the altercation occurred.
He was charged with assault causing bodily injury to a family member, two counts of injury to an elderly person with intent to cause bodily injury and one count of driving while intoxicated-second offense.
He was released on bond the following day, reported KSAT. He was given no contact orders and is not allowed to possess or use firearms. He was also referred to a specialty court for veterans and a mental health assessment was ordered.
According to KSAT, Poulos served in the Navy for 10 years, leaving in 2008. He was previously stationed in New Jersey, California and Illinois.
During his time in the Navy, he earned awards such as the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and a Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.
Saleen Martin is a reporter on Paste BN's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Follow her on Twitter at @SaleenMartin or email her at sdmartin@usatoday.com.