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Cody King, Digital Journalist
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Published: June 23, 2023 at 8:59 PM
Updated: June 24, 2023 at 8:51 AM

Three SAPD officers charged with murder after gunning down woman in apartment, Chief McManus says

Sgt. Alfred Flores, Officer Eleazar Alejandro and Officer Nathaniel Villalobos are charged in 46-year-old Melissa Perez’s death

SAN ANTONIO – Three San Antonio police officers are charged with murder after gunning down a woman inside her apartment early Friday, according to Chief William McManus. ... The three officers were identified as Sgt. Alfred Flores (14 years of service), Officer Eleazar Alejandro ( 5 years of service), and Officer Nathaniel Villalobos (2 years of service).

All of the officers were taken into custody. The department said the officers’ employment was terminated. In another instance, SAPD said they were suspended without pay. KSAT has reached out for further clarification. ... The shooting happened early Friday morning in the 6200 block of Old Pearsall Road on the Southwest Side.

Officers were called just after midnight for a disturbance of a woman destroying property. Chief McManus said she was cutting wires through a fire alarm system to the complex -- a felony of criminal mischief. ... The woman, identified as 46-year-old Melissa Perez, was speaking with the San Antonio Fire Department in the parking lot when police contacted her.

She provided them with her name, date of birth and apartment number. ... McManus said Perez was having a mental health crisis, and officers tried to get her to go toward their patrol car. However, she ran back to her apartment and locked the door. ... Police then tried to speak with her through an open window.

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