Crazed Lady with a Hammer Gets Mercd by San Antonio Police

Consistent with our Critical Incident Video Release Procedure, the department, today, released video from the officer-involved shooting that occurred on Friday, June 23rd, 2023.

Below is a brief synopsis of the critical incident:
Just after midnight, officers were dispatched to an apartment complex at the 6200 block of Old Pearsall Rd for a disturbance involving a woman who was destroying property at the apartment complex. As officers were trying to identify the 46-year-old woman in the apartment complex, she walked away and then began to run to her apartment, locking herself inside. Officers began communicating with her through the window on her patio. After several minutes, the woman threw a glass candle through the window striking one of the officers. Officers observed the female grab a hammer inside the apartment. One officer drew his weapon and notified dispatch that he had the woman at gunpoint and additional officers arrived at the scene. Officers continued to talk to her to try to get her to come out of the residence. Two officers jumped over the patio railing at which point the woman ran forward with the hammer towards the window striking it and shattering it. One officer drew his firearm and fired several shots at the female. The woman retreated backwards during the first round of gunshots but soon after came towards the patio door, still holding the hammer in her hand. At this time, two other officers shot towards the woman, along with the first officer who fired the first round of gunshots striking her. The woman was pronounced deceased at the scene by EMS and was identified as Melissa Perez.

Both the SAPD Shooting Team and the Internal Affairs Unit are conducting separate and concurrent inquiries. Their findings will be sent to the Bexar County District Attorney's office for an independent review.