San Antonio, TX: A suspected auto thief was shot and murdered by a vehicle owner at an apartment complex on the West Side of San Antonio in the early hours of Tuesday.
The incident took place shortly before 4 a.m. at the Oxford at Estonia apartments located off Micron Drive near Culebra Road. Police were called to the scene in response to reports of a shooting.
The man in his 50s found the suspected thief in his vehicle as he was preparing to leave for work. The car owner shot at the suspect as he attempted to steal and drive away.
The suspect thought to be in his 40s, was hit by gunfire, got out of the vehicle, ran briefly, and then collapsed and died from his injuries.
The vehicle said that this was the third attempted theft of his car. The shooting occurred in the context of a neighbor’s complaints about a recent increase in vehicle break-ins and thefts in the region.
The police are still investigating and have not decided whether to press charges against the gunman. The SUV owner was unharmed during the confrontation, as confirmed by officials.
The deceased’s identity has not been disclosed while officials are currently conducting the inquiry. The San Antonio Police Department is currently in discussions with the car owner, and additional details will be shared as the investigation advances.
The legal consequences of the shooting are still uncertain.