Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Man fatally shoots himself while handcuffed in SAPD patrol car; officers on leave, police say
San Antonio Express News ^ | 03/20/2026 | By Raul Trey Lopez, Staff Writer

Posted on 03/20/2026 1:38:57 PM PDT by Responsibility2nd

A man fatally shot himself in the head while handcuffed in the back of a San Antonio police vehicle following a pursuit, Police Chief William McManus told reporters Thursday.

On Friday morning, the San Antonio Police Department told the Express-News that the officers have been placed on administrative leave until further notice. The officers have been with the department for four and five years

Police said the incident began around 2 p.m. on the South Side when officers identified a driver riding in a car with mismatched tags. The man then drove to the North Side, where SAPD’s Eagle helicopter followed him.

The man pulled into a Circle K gas station at the intersection of East Rampart and McCullough Avenue near North Star Mall, where he attempted to run from officers. He was then captured, handcuffed, and put into the back of the police car.

"At some point, shortly thereafter, he shot himself in the head....Nobody heard the gunshot," McManus said, adding that the two responding officers were talking outside of the car when the shooting happened.

Officers attempted to save the man's life but were unsuccessful. He later died at the gas station.

The man, who has not been identified, had two active felony warrants before his death, police said.

McManus said the man was still cuffed at the time of the shooting and that they have no idea how that happened. He declined to answer further questions regarding the man having the gun in his possession.

“Don’t ask me where it was or how he got to it...I don’t know yet,” McManus emphasized.

The investigation remains ongoing. This is the first in-custody death involving SAPD in 2026.


TOPICS: Local News
KEYWORDS: andtheyresticking2it; banglist; crime; donutwatch; police
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-53 last
To: Responsibility2nd

Clearly, a good shoot...


41 posted on 03/20/2026 3:05:07 PM PDT by SuperLuminal (Where is rabble-rising Sam Adams now that we need him? Is his name Trump, now?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SpaceBar

Main thing is, he took himself out of the gene pool! Thank you!


42 posted on 03/20/2026 3:09:40 PM PDT by madrastex
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: Quickgun

Slim people can often get those handcuffs down their butt, over their feet and in front of them.


43 posted on 03/20/2026 3:18:43 PM PDT by SaxxonWoods (Annnd....I voted for this too!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Lazamataz

>> except for the colostomy bag, I should suffer no permanent effects.

Plus, now you have the perfect hiding place for your sidearm on your next trip downtown. Good job Laz!


44 posted on 03/20/2026 3:40:52 PM PDT by Nervous Tick (Hope, as a righteous product of properly aligned Faith, IS in fact a strategy.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: Captain Walker

Apparently your TDS has you posting about it on unrelated threads. Just sayin’....


45 posted on 03/20/2026 3:51:37 PM PDT by Bigg Red ( Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: Responsibility2nd

Hancuffed in front and shot himself in the back of the head, or handcuffed behind and shot himself in the face?

One of James Earl Ray’s magic bullets?


46 posted on 03/20/2026 4:23:53 PM PDT by PAR35
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Responsibility2nd

Oh well, these things happen. Our folks in Law Enforcement are punch drunk, fog of war whatever with the human garbage they deal with ever day now. Let us hope and pray that we do not come to a time like in Mad Max movies , the Police do not come anymore because there are none.....


47 posted on 03/20/2026 4:24:26 PM PDT by The Sentient Sheep
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SaxxonWoods

Hadn’t really thought about that, but I’ve seen some people who could stand upright and the backs of their hands nearly touch the ground....;)


48 posted on 03/20/2026 5:16:24 PM PDT by Quickgun (I got here kicking,screaming and covered in someone else's blood. I can go out that way if I have to)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 43 | View Replies]

To: Hebrews 11:6

“FReeSkeptics.com”
.
Love That!
.
All shapes and Sizes too.


49 posted on 03/20/2026 7:12:40 PM PDT by Big Red Badger (Resist Satan's Tyranny )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Responsibility2nd

The time on NYPD Blue that Dennis Franz (Detective Andy Sipowicz) was held at gunpoint in the interrogation room started with someone’s missed pat down.

Ankle holster is one possibility.


50 posted on 03/20/2026 7:36:14 PM PDT by frank ballenger (There's a battle outside and it's raging. It'll soon shake your windows and rattle your walls. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Glennb51

RE: in patrol car....

I see so many hundreds of movie and TV cop shows but one—somewhere-—had a brilliantly done escape with one cop’s head breaking the side window glass, another strangled from behind and the cop’s gun used to shoot out the lock as the perp rolled out. Hard head butt may have been involved. Sorry I can’t place it.


51 posted on 03/20/2026 7:41:26 PM PDT by frank ballenger (There's a battle outside and it's raging. It'll soon shake your windows and rattle your walls. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: fwdude

I agree. His body, his choice.


52 posted on 03/20/2026 8:52:34 PM PDT by healy61
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: Texas Eagle

Vince raps box


53 posted on 03/21/2026 7:25:13 AM PDT by Vaduz (NEVER TRUST A DEMOCRAT)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-53 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson