Three San Antonio police officers are out on bond after fatally shooting a woman with mental illness inside her home.
Sgt. Alfred Flores, Nathaniel Villalobos, and Eleazor Alejandro were released on bond this morning (June 26) after being charged with murder.
The officers responded to a call that 46-year-old Melissa Perez cut wires to a fire alarm system at her apartment complex.
In the body cam footage, the officers are seen chasing Perez as she runs back into her apartment.
One officer yells to Perez, “Your gonna get shot,” while aiming his gun at Perez through her front window.
Perez yells back, “Shoot me. You ain’t got no warrant.”
According to the officers, Perez threw a candlestick and then grabbed a hammer.
Next, you hear the officers yell, “Watch out!” and one officer starts shooting.
As Perez moves toward the door, all three officers start firing.
Authorities said Perez was suffering from a mental health crisis.
Chief William McManus of the San Antonio Police Department released the following statement concerning the shooting:
They placed themselves in a situation where they used deadly force, which was not reasonable given all the circumstances.
The officers have been suspended without pay.
Melissa Perez’s daughter, Alexis Tovar, said, “Those officers took my life. I will never be the same person again.”
Melissa Perez’s family plans to sue under a law that allows parties to sue a state-level employee for alleged civil rights violations.
We send our deepest condolences to Melissa Perez’s family and friends.
Watch the “GMA” story on the three San Antonio police officers below:
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