News Summary
The San Antonio Police Department is on the hunt for a suspect accused of assaulting an off-duty officer at Walmart on March 9, 2025, following a theft confrontation. In a separate but related event, a suspect, who was being monitored by law enforcement, was fatally shot after brandishing an assault rifle in the store’s parking lot. These incidents draw attention to the growing concerns around violent crime in the area.
San Antonio Police Seek Suspect for Assaulting Officer and Investigate Fatal Shooting Incident at Walmart
San Antonio police are actively searching for a man wanted for allegedly assaulting an off-duty police officer at a Walmart on March 9, 2025. The incident occurred near the 3300 block of Military Dr. The officer had confronted the suspect regarding theft, which led to an altercation.
According to the San Antonio Police Department, the officer engaged with the suspect after observing him attempting to steal items from the store. When the officer intervened, the suspect attempted to flee but was quickly apprehended. As the officer tried to control the situation, the suspect assaulted him and escaped once again. Authorities are urging anyone with information about the assailant’s whereabouts to contact the San Antonio Police Department’s Homicide Unit at (210) 207-7635.
Fatal Shooting Investigation at Walmart
In a separate but related incident, investigations were underway following a shooting in a Walmart parking lot on Wednesday night, involving a police officer and a suspect they had been surveilling. This operation was conducted by federal, state, and local officials, led by Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar and the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force.
The suspect, believed to be in his mid-30s, was wanted for aggravated sexual assault stemming from a prior incident just days before the shooting. During the operation, the suspect pulled into a gas station at the Walmart located on the 7000 block of Ray Ellison and parked his vehicle. As officers were approaching, one officer from the San Antonio Police Department fired his weapon, striking the suspect who was armed with a long rifle and a drum magazine.
The suspect was subsequently transported to a local hospital, where he unfortunately succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. At this time, neither agency involved has released further identifying information about the suspect.
Assault Incident at Johnson City Walmart
In a separate incident unrelated to the Walmart shooting in San Antonio, a man named Angel Vasquez was arrested for assaulting a shopper at a Johnson City Walmart. The attack occurred around 12:50 p.m. on a Sunday, impacting a 69-year-old man who reported being randomly assaulted while shopping.
Witnesses observed that Vasquez punched the victim until he fell, followed by stomping on the victim’s head. The victim sustained various injuries, including lacerations and abrasions, requiring hospital treatment. In connection with the assault on the shopper, Vasquez was charged with third-degree assault.
While in police custody, Vasquez allegedly became violent and choked a police officer, leading to minor injuries for the officer. Additional charges against Vasquez included second-degree assault upon a police officer, criminal obstruction of breathing, and obstructing governmental administration. He was arraigned and is currently held in Broome County Jail on a $500 bail.
Concerns about the effectiveness of the judicial system in dealing with violent criminals have been raised following these incidents, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement and the community.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Border Patrol Agent Tragically Killed in Shootout
Additional Resources
- News4 San Antonio
- Wikipedia: Assault (law)
- ABC 3340
- Google Search: San Antonio Walmart Shooting
- WNBF News
- Google Scholar: Violent Crimes in Retail Stores
- Fox San Antonio
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Carjacking
- Express News
- Google News: Hill Country Walmart Arrest
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.
