San Antonio, TX — Seven police officers were injured in a shooting while responding to a “suicide in progress” call in the early hours of Wednesday night. The officers sustained non-life threatening injuries and are expected to make a full recovery, according to the San Antonio Police Department.
The incident began when officers responded to a call about a possible suicide in progress at an apartment complex. While en route to the scene, officers received a second call reporting shots fired from inside the apartment. Upon arrival, a woman emerged from the building and informed police that the suspect, later identified as 46-year-old Brandon Scott Poulos, was firing shots inside and was preparing to come out.
As officers approached the apartment, Poulos emerged and immediately began firing at police, striking one officer in the leg. Six additional officers were also hit by gunfire as Poulos continued shooting from within the apartment.
A SWAT team was deployed, and the situation escalated as Poulos barricaded himself inside the apartment. Negotiators attempted to make contact with the suspect for several hours, urging him to surrender peacefully. After hours of unsuccessful negotiation, Poulos was found dead inside the apartment. Authorities are still investigating whether he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound or if he was shot by SWAT officers during the standoff.
San Antonio Police Chief Bill McManus confirmed that Poulos had a history of prior arrests. Just days before the incident, on January 18, he had been arrested on two counts of assault and one charge of driving while intoxicated (DWI). He was out on bond at the time of the shooting.
The officers involved in the shooting were quickly transported to local hospitals where they were treated for their injuries. Thankfully, all seven officers are expected to recover.
As the investigation continues, McManus and other law enforcement officials are urging the public to avoid making assumptions about the exact circumstances of Poulos’ death until a thorough investigation is completed.
