San Antonio officer injured after taking two bullets, shooter killed, chief says
SAN ANTONIO — An officer who was shot twice while he struggled with a suspect late Tuesday night is expected to make a full recovery, according to information released by the San Antonio Police Department.
Officer Nathan Becerra, a 4-year veteran of the SAPD, was out of surgery and recovering at University Hospital after he was shot while responding to a call on the Northwest Side. Chief William McManus said Officer Becerra was called to the Hilltop Oaks Apartments on Ingram Road to check out of a report of a home invasion.
While investigating that report, Officer Becerra came across three possible suspects in a parked car. At some point, he started to struggle with one of the men in the car, when another suspect in the back seat opened fire on him, hitting him twice.
"The passenger in the backseat got out of the car with a handgun," McManus said. "He started shooting at one of the officers."
Becerra and another arriving officer opened fire on the suspect, hitting and killing him. His identity has not yet been released, but he was described as a 26-year-old man.
The second officer, identified as Officer Michael Medina, was not hurt and has been placed on administrative duty pending the outcome of the investigation. He is a 1-year veteran of the agency.
The other two suspects were taken into custody at the scene, but only one was charged. SAPD said Dennis Moran, 27, was charged with attempted capital murder, evading arrest, felon in possession of a firearm and resisting arrest. The other man taken into custody was later released.
Two weapons were recovered, one from the shooter and another from the backseat of the car, police said.
Councilwoman Ana Sandoval later released this statement regarding the shooting:
We are praying for Nathan Becerra, the wounded SAPD officer, to make a speedy recovery. We’re also grateful to him and all of our city’s first-responders for keeping us safe – for coming to work everyday knowing the potential dangers. The shooting of another police officer is deeply troubling to us all.
Our hearts also go out to the neighbors shaken by this terrible incident. Today, I am asking for a briefing from SAPD on crime-fighting efforts in that area.
