San Antonio, TX, October 12, 2025
News Summary
The trial for three former San Antonio police officers charged in the fatal shooting of Melissa Perez has commenced. Sgt. Alfred Flores and Officer Eleazar Alejandro face murder charges, while Officer Nathaniel Villalobos is charged with aggravated assault. The case revolves around a confrontation during a mental health crisis that was documented on body camera footage. Jury selection was completed, and the trial will feature extensive evidence, including recorded material and eyewitness testimony, drawing significant public attention to police response in mental health situations.
San Antonio
Trial begins for three former San Antonio officers in 2023 shooting death of Melissa Perez
A trial opened this week in a high-profile case involving the June 2023 fatal shooting of Melissa Perez. Two former San Antonio police officers, Sgt. Alfred Flores and officer Eleazar Alejandro, are charged with murder, and a third officer, Nathaniel Villalobos, is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The case centers on a confrontation in Perez’s southwest-side apartment during a mental health crisis that was captured on body-worn camera footage.
Judge Ron Rangel oversaw jury selection for a high-profile death case involving the shooting of Melissa Perez. Jury selection continued until almost midnight Thursday, resulting in 12 jurors and four alternates being selected. During early selection, initial juror dismissals occurred due to conflicts, leaving a jury of 14 divided equally between men and women.
Key facts and evidence
The shooting occurred after police responded to a 911 call. On June 23, 2023, officers responded to a 911 call regarding Perez’s erratic behavior related to damaging a fire alarm system. Video evidence presented in court showed Perez initially refusing to leave her apartment and later brandishing a hammer at the officers. Video evidence showed Perez refusing to leave her apartment and later brandishing a hammer at the officers. The defense sought to illustrate the perceived threat by requesting to use a hammer during closing remarks. The defense requested to use a hammer in their remarks to the jury to highlight the threat Perez posed.
The prosecution has indicated it will rely heavily on recorded material and witness accounts. The trial will examine extensive evidence, including body camera footage, patrol vehicle recordings, 911 calls, and eyewitness testimony. Testimony began with the custodian of records providing evidence, particularly surrounding body camera footage. Courtroom proceedings included technical work to present multiple video sources; technical difficulties with video evidence caused a courtroom recess, and Judge Rangel adjourned for the day, rescheduling for 10 a.m. Monday.
Arguments and courtroom dynamics
The prosecution delivered opening remarks framing the available evidence as sufficient to support criminal charges and requested guilty verdicts on the counts brought. The defense argued officers faced a split-second decision when confronted with Perez, who was perceived as posing a deadly threat. The courtroom saw heated exchanges over investigative completeness, including a contentious back-and-forth between the prosecutor and a defense attorney, and logistical adjustments were necessary because each defendant is represented by a separate defense team; extra tables and chairs were placed in the courtroom to accommodate multiple defense counsel teams.
Additional testimony addressed Perez’s behavior leading up to the shooting. Captain Christopher Hudson of the San Antonio Fire Department described his interactions with Perez, noting her erratic behavior but not observing any signs of intoxication. That testimony was offered as part of the effort to establish Perez’s state during the incident.
Potential penalties and public attention
If convicted on the charges, the two officers charged with murder would face the most severe penalties; If convicted, Flores and Alejandro face up to life in prison; Villalobos could face up to 20 years. The trial has drawn national attention and scrutiny of police response to mental health crises and on-scene decision-making by officers.
Next steps in the trial
The court recessed after encountering technical difficulties presenting video evidence and will resume testimony and evidence presentation at the scheduled 10 a.m. session on Monday. The proceedings will continue to feature extensive recorded material, witness testimony, and legal argument over the justification for use of force and the interpretation of on-scene actions by the officers involved.
Key features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Victim | Melissa Perez, 46-year-old, died in her southwest-side apartment in June 2023 |
| Defendants and charges | Two former San Antonio police officers, Sgt. Alfred Flores and officer Eleazar Alejandro, are charged with murder; Nathaniel Villalobos is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon |
| Incident date | June 23, 2023 |
| Evidence | Body camera footage, patrol vehicle recordings, 911 calls, eyewitness testimony |
| Jury selection | Jury selection continued until almost midnight Thursday, resulting in 12 jurors and four alternates being selected; initial juror dismissals occurred due to conflicts, leaving a jury of 14 divided equally between men and women |
| Potential penalties | If convicted, Flores and Alejandro face up to life in prison; Villalobos could face up to 20 years |
Timeline
| Date/time | Event | Status / Source |
|---|---|---|
| June 23, 2023 | Officers responded to a 911 call regarding Perez’s erratic behavior related to damaging a fire alarm system | Incident report and body-worn camera footage |
| June 23, 2023 (during incident) | Video evidence showed Perez refusing to leave her apartment and later brandishing a hammer at the officers | Body-worn camera footage |
| Initial stage of jury selection (date not specified) | Initial juror dismissals occurred due to conflicts, leaving a jury of 14 divided equally between men and women | Courtroom proceedings |
| Thursday (time not specified) | Jury selection continued until almost midnight Thursday, resulting in 12 jurors and four alternates being selected | Courtroom proceedings |
| During trial (current session) | Testimony began with the custodian of records providing evidence, particularly surrounding body camera footage | Court testimony and records |
| During trial (current session) | Technical difficulties with video evidence caused a courtroom recess, and Judge Rangel adjourned for the day, rescheduling for 10 a.m. Monday | Courtroom proceedings |
Visual statistics
Jury composition (selected visuals)
Potential sentence comparison
FAQ
Who is charged in the case?
Two former San Antonio police officers, Sgt. Alfred Flores and officer Eleazar Alejandro, are charged with murder. A third officer, Nathaniel Villalobos, is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
What happened on June 23, 2023?
On June 23, 2023, officers responded to a 911 call regarding Perez’s erratic behavior related to damaging a fire alarm system.
What did video evidence show?
Video evidence showed Perez refusing to leave her apartment and later brandishing a hammer at the officers.
Did the defense request to use any items in court?
The defense requested to use a hammer in their remarks to the jury to highlight the threat Perez posed.
What evidence will the trial examine?
The trial will examine extensive evidence, including body camera footage, patrol vehicle recordings, 911 calls, and eyewitness testimony.
Who provided initial testimony?
Testimony began with the custodian of records providing evidence, particularly surrounding body camera footage.
What did San Antonio Fire Department say about Perez?
Captain Christopher Hudson of the San Antonio Fire Department described his interactions with Perez, noting her erratic behavior but not observing any signs of intoxication.
What happened during jury selection?
Jury selection continued until almost midnight Thursday, resulting in 12 jurors and four alternates being selected. Initial juror dismissals occurred due to conflicts, leaving a jury of 14 divided equally between men and women.
What caused the courtroom recess and when will the trial resume?
Technical difficulties with video evidence caused a courtroom recess, and Judge Rangel adjourned for the day, rescheduling for 10 a.m. Monday.
What are the possible sentences if convicted?
If convicted, Flores and Alejandro face up to life in prison; Villalobos could face up to 20 years.
Who oversaw jury selection?
Judge Ron Rangel oversaw jury selection for a high-profile death case involving the shooting of Melissa Perez.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Suspect Arrested in Fatal Shooting at San Antonio Gas Station
Joshua Wayne Cole Pleads Guilty to Threats Against Abilene Pride Parade
Tragic Loss: Charlie Kirk Assassinated During Debate Event
Tennessee Man Arrested Over Social Media Threats
14-Year-Old Boy Found Shot in San Antonio
Defense Motion for Civilian Clothing in High-Profile Murder Case
San Antonio Moves Forward with River Walk Revitalization RFP
Man Found Dead with Gunshot Wound in San Antonio
Man Shot and Killed Outside Gas Station in San Antonio
LEE High School Student Arrested for Gun in Backpack
Additional Resources
- KENS5 News
- Wikipedia: San Antonio
- KSAT News
- Google Search: Melissa Perez 2023 shooting
- Express News
- Google Scholar: San Antonio 2023 police trial
- News 4 San Antonio
- Encyclopedia Britannica: San Antonio
- KSAT News
- Google News: Melissa Perez trial 2023
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.
