Three police officers from San Antonio, Texas, have been charged with murder in relation to the death of a woman who was reportedly experiencing a “mental health crisis.”
According to Police Chief William McManus, the three officers shot and killed 46-year-old Melissa Perez early on Friday morning after she refused to leave her residence, threw a glass candlestick at them, and swung a hammer in their direction.
Sergeant Alfred Flores and Officers Eleazar Alejandro and Nathaniel Villalobos were immediately suspended without pay and subsequently arrested following Perez’s death.
McManus stated on Friday that the officers’ actions were contrary to the policies and training of the SAPD.
“They placed themselves in a situation where they used deadly force, which was not reasonable given all the circumstances as we now understand them,” McManus said.
The incident occurred after police responded to a report of tampering with a fire alarm system at Perez’s apartment complex around 12:30 a.m.
Upon observing Perez speaking with a fire department employee outside, the officers instructed her to approach them.
Footage from an officer’s body camera captured the officer saying, “Hey lady, get over here.”
When Perez refused to comply, the officers pursued her to her apartment and had to break a window to gain access.
Perez responded to one of the officers stating, “You’re going to get shot,” by saying, “Shoot me; you ain’t got no warrant.”
Two gunshots can be heard on the bodycam footage immediately after the sound of breaking glass.
Authorities reported that one of the officers fired after Perez allegedly threw the candlestick and swung the hammer at them.
McManus stated that when Perez continued approaching the officers with the hammer, all three of them discharged their firearms.
Perez was shot twice, according to the authorities.
“It appeared that Miss Perez was experiencing a mental health crisis,” McManus noted.
McManus assured that a comprehensive investigation would be conducted, as is standard procedure following any shooting involving law enforcement. He also expressed condolences to Perez’s family.