Melissa Perez (2023)
A user of LEO Ratings suggested that we cover this incident. Please email us with any updates or your own lead.
Overview
On June 23, 2023, firefighters and San Antonio Texas Police Department officers responded to a vandalism call where Perez had cut the wires to a fire alarm panel at an apartment building. Perez locked herself in her apartment. When Perez broke her window with a hammer, one officer fired. Perez came to a door while carrying the hammer, and Sergeant Alfred Flores, and officers Eleazar Alejandro and Nathaniel Villalobos fired, striking Perez.[1][2]
Officers broke into the apartment to render aid. Perez died at the scene.[2]
The incident was captured on several officers' body-worn cameras.[1]
The Police Chief stated that the force used "was not reasonable" and "not consistent with SAPD policies and training".[2]
The officers were suspended without pay during an investigation.[1]
The officers were charged with murder.[2]
On July 7, 2023, Perez's family filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against the officers and the city.[3]
On December 14, 2023, a grand jury indicted Alejandro and Flores for murder, and Villalobos for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon by a public servant.[4]
In September 2025, a federal judge dismissed the family's civil lawsuit, finding that the allegations lacked merit and the officers were covered by qualified immunity.[5]
On November 10, 2025, a jury found the officers not guilty on all counts.[6]
Video
On June 23, 2023, the department released a Critical Incident Video.[1]
Officers Involved
Public Comments
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 San Antonio Police Department Critical Incident Video Release: 6200 Block of Old Pearsall Rd., San Antonio Police Department, 2023-06-23
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 David Lynch, Three SAPD officers charged with murder after killing woman overnight, Chief McManus says, KENS 5, 2023-06-23
- ↑ David Lynch, Family of Melissa Perez files wrongful-death lawsuit against SAPD officers who killed her, KENS 5, 2023-07-07
- ↑ Dillion Collier, 3 SAPD officers indicted in shooting death of Melissa Perez, KSAT, 2023-12-14
- ↑ Judge dismisses wrongful death lawsuit against SAPD officers who fatally shot Melissa Perez, KENS, 2025-09-29
- ↑ David Lynch, 3 ex-SAPD officers found not guilty of murder, other charges in connection with Melissa Perez's 2023 killing, KENS, 2025-11-10
Recent articles: Joshua Nahulu, Curtis Cochran, Ian McInnes, Javen Etienne, Johnathan Edwards
To check for incidents in your area, please use the search page. Or try a random incident!
