A jury cleared three former San Antonio police officers on Monday of all criminal charges stemming from the 2023 fatal shooting of a woman experiencing an apparent mental health episode. Alfred Flores, Eleazar Alejandro, and Nathaniel Villalobos faced aggravated assault and deadly conduct charges, while Flores and Alejandro also faced murder accusations in the death of Melissa Perez.
Officers responded to a disturbance call involving cut fire alarm wires at an apartment complex in June 2023. Perez retreated into her residence after initial contact, and a confrontation developed over roughly 30 minutes. Body camera recordings captured officers attempting entry through windows before Perez swung a hammer, breaking glass. The officers fired multiple rounds through a locked door, killing the 46-year-old mother of four inside her home.
Police Chief William McManus criticized the failure to summon specialized mental health units during the incident. The jury deliberated for two hours before delivering acquittals.
Officers responded to a disturbance call involving cut fire alarm wires at an apartment complex in June 2023. Perez retreated into her residence after initial contact, and a confrontation developed over roughly 30 minutes. Body camera recordings captured officers attempting entry through windows before Perez swung a hammer, breaking glass. The officers fired multiple rounds through a locked door, killing the 46-year-old mother of four inside her home.
Police Chief William McManus criticized the failure to summon specialized mental health units during the incident. The jury deliberated for two hours before delivering acquittals.
