Terrifying police car chase through downtown San Antonio ends in fireball with one dead and another fighting for life
One person was killed and another was critically injured in a police-involved shooting in downtown San Antonio, Texas Thursday afternoon.
Authorities said police officers were patrolling the downtown area when they noticed a vehicle that had been reported stolen and started pursuing the driver just before 4.30pm, KENS 5 reports.
The blue Kia sedan had been reported stolen at around noon, and the officers requested covert support to follow the vehicle, which soon left the downtown area, according to KSAT.
When it returned, responding officers tried to use spike strips in order to get the vehicle to come to a stop, but the driver plowed through them.
Officers then tried to surround the vehicle, but the driver backed up the car, striking patrol vehicles and driving toward officers who got out of their cars.
Fearing for their safety, the police officers opened fire, Assistant Chief Robert Blanton said.
Videos posted to social media and shared by KSAT show the police fired multiple rounds at the vehicle as it continued down Commerce Street.
Eventually, it struck a building before catching fire near the intersection of Commerce and North Flores.
One person was killed and another was critically injured when San Antonio police responded to a stolen vehicle Thursday afternoon
The impact of the crash caused a fire at the downtown building
One suspect died at the scene, while the other was transported to a local hospital in ‘very critical condition,’ Blanton said.
No other injuries were reported.
The officers involved in the shooting have now been placed on routine administrative leave. One is a veteran with five years of experience on the police force, while the other has three years of experience, Texas Public Radio reports.
Police said they could not confirm the ages of the suspects, but said they ‘looked younger,’ according to KWTX.
Witnesses said they were walking down the street when they heard a loud ‘bang.’
When they turned around, they told KSAT, they said they saw flames and a ‘bunch of cars.’
The fire was soon extinguished, and officials said the building ‘appears to be structurally OK,’ My San Antonio reports.
Officials now suggest residents avoid the downtown area if possible.
Officers opened fire after the driver approached them, causing the car to crash into a building
Authorities are urging residents to avoid the downtown area if at all possible
This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
