San Antonio, TX, October 17, 2025
News Summary
The trial of three San Antonio Police officers accused in the shooting death of Melissa Perez is currently in its fifth day. Two officers face murder charges while a third officer is charged with aggravated assault. This landmark case raises vital questions regarding the use of force in mental health crisis responses. With emotional testimonies from family members and evidence presented, jurors are deliberating whether the officers’ actions were justified. The outcome is poised to impact future policing practices in mental health situations.
San Antonio
The trial of three San Antonio Police officers accused in the June 2023 shooting death of Melissa Perez is in its fifth day. The proceedings place two officers on murder charges and a third on an aggravated assault charge as jurors consider whether their use of force was justified during a mental health crisis response.
What is happening now
This case is making legal and public-policy headlines because it is the first time police officers in San Antonio have been charged with murder for a shooting that occurred while on duty. The courtroom phase entered its fifth day as prosecutors and defense attorneys presented competing accounts of the events that led to the June 23, 2023, death of Melissa Perez, 46.
Who is charged
The officers charged are Sgt. Alfred Flores and Officer Eleazor Alejandro, who face murder charges, while Officer Nathaniel Villalobos is charged with aggravated assault. All three were suspended immediately following the shooting and were arrested days later.
Key factual timeline
The shooting occurred after officers responded to reports that Perez had been cutting a building fire alarm. Initial contact between officers and Perez did not show physical aggression. After nearly three hours of attempts to talk Perez out of her apartment, officers decided to forcibly enter. Body camera footage entered into evidence showed Perez wielding a hammer and charging at officers just before they shot her. A toxicology report from the incident revealed Perez was intoxicated at the time of the encounter.
Positions in court
Prosecutors argue the officers escalated a calm situation to violence and killed Perez unnecessarily, seeking accountability for what they describe as excessive force and raising questions about how policing handles mental health crises. Defense attorneys contend that Perez threatened the officers with a hammer and was a danger during the encounter, arguing that convicting officers in these circumstances could have broad effects on law enforcement officers’ ability to make arrests safely.
Evidence and testimony
Body camera footage was played in court and presented as direct evidence of the moments leading up to the shooting. The footage showed Perez wielding a hammer and charging at the officers just before they shot her. Witnesses and officials also described the initial police response, noting that two officers first arrived and did not find Perez physically aggressive during their first encounter. After nearly three hours of failed attempts to talk Perez out of her apartment, a decision was made to forcibly enter.
Human impact
The case has included emotional testimony from family members and has drawn attention to the intersection of policing and mental health. An emotional statement from Perez’s daughter highlighted the family’s grief over not being able to say goodbye. The prosecution and community advocates emphasized that the outcome could affect future police practices in handling mental health-related incidents.
Legal debate
Lawyers for both sides framed the case as raising broader legal issues: prosecutors pressed questions about the necessity and proportionality of force and sought to challenge aspects of police culture in crisis situations; the defense raised concerns that a conviction could create legal and practical challenges for officers responding to dangerous or unpredictable encounters. The trial also has generated debate about whether a warrant was necessary for officers to enter Perez’s home.
What happens next
Ultimately, a jury will decide the fate of the three officers amidst continued debate over police conduct and accountability in mental health situations. The outcome could significantly influence how local police handle similar incidents going forward.
FAQ
What is the current status of the trial?
The trial of three San Antonio Police officers accused in the June 2023 shooting death of Melissa Perez is in its fifth day.
Which officers are charged and with what offenses?
The officers charged are Sgt. Alfred Flores and Officer Eleazor Alejandro, who face murder charges, while Officer Nathaniel Villalobos is charged with aggravated assault.
When and under what circumstances did the shooting occur?
Melissa Perez, 46, was shot and killed on June 23, 2023, during a mental health crisis.
What did body camera footage show?
Body camera footage played in court showed Perez wielding a hammer and charging at the officers just before they shot her.
What did the toxicology report find?
A toxicology report from the incident revealed Perez was intoxicated at the time of the encounter.
Why is this trial notable in San Antonio?
This trial is historic as it marks the first time police officers in San Antonio have been charged with murder for a shooting that occurred while on duty.
Key features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Case status | The trial of three San Antonio Police officers accused in the June 2023 shooting death of Melissa Perez is in its fifth day. |
| Charges | The officers charged are Sgt. Alfred Flores and Officer Eleazor Alejandro, who face murder charges, while Officer Nathaniel Villalobos is charged with aggravated assault. |
| Date of shooting | June 23, 2023 |
| Victim | Melissa Perez, 46 |
| Context | Mental health crisis response; entry after nearly three hours of attempts to persuade Perez to leave her apartment |
Timeline
| Date/Time | Event | Status/Source |
|---|---|---|
| June 23, 2023 | Melissa Perez was shot and killed during a mental health crisis | Incident report / Court evidence |
| June 23, 2023 (initial response) | Officers dispatched after reports of Perez cutting the fire alarm system; first two officers did not find her physically aggressive | Police response records / Court testimony |
| After nearly three hours | Officers decided to forcibly enter Perez’s apartment | Court testimony / Evidence |
| Days after shooting | Officers were suspended immediately following the shooting and were arrested days later | Administrative action / Charges filed |
| During trial (fifth day) | Body camera footage played in court; ongoing legal arguments about use of force and warrant issues | Court proceedings |
Charges breakdown
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Additional Resources
- The Barbed Wire: San Antonio Police Officers’ Murder Trial
- Wikipedia: Shooting of Melissa Perez
- KSAT: SAPD Response in Melissa Perez Shooting Case
- Google Search: San Antonio Police Murder Trial
- News4SanAntonio: Tense Moments in Melissa Perez Shooting Case
- Google Scholar: San Antonio Police Trial 2023
- ExpressNews: Melissa Perez Trial Judge Ruling
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Police Use of Force
- News4SanAntonio: Key Witness Testifies in Trial of Former SAPD Officers
- Google News: Melissa Perez Shooting Trial
Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER
The SAN ANTONIO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanAntonio.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Antonio, Bexar County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Fiesta San Antonio, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and Dia de los Muertos. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, plus leading businesses in retail, insurance, and energy that power the local economy such as H-E-B, USAA, and Valero Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HEREHouston.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
