Melissa Perez Obituary News: 46-year-old Woman Experiencing Mental Health Crisis Killed by 3 San Antonio Police Officers
The police chief said three San Antonio Police Department officers—Sergeant Alfred Flores, Officer Eleazar Alejandro, and Officer Nathaniel Villalobos—were charged with murder on June 23 for shooting and killing a 46-year-old woman in a “mental health crisis.”
The 6200 block of Old Pearsall Road apartment complex was shot shortly after 2 a.m. Friday.
At a later press conference, San Antonio Police Chief William McManus claimed the use of force “was not reasonable” and violated department protocol.
Melissa Perez, the apartment complex fire alarm system wire cutter, was having a mental health crisis, police said.
Perez ran back inside her apartment and locked the door when police arrived. The police chief said Perez threw a glass candle at an officer while speaking through a window.
As the incident developed, more officers and supervisors arrived. Two officers leapt the apartment terrace rail. Perez allegedly grabbed a hammer and approached the cops from her unit. Perez allegedly swung the hammer at the cops, breaking a window.
A police officer fired at her, but authorities say Perez was not hit. Perez returned to her squad, then left with the hammer to face three cops. Three police officers fatally shot the victim.