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One week into the New Year, Alamo City residents or police have already used deadly force to protect themselves or their homes in three separate incidents, resulting in two deaths and two injuries.
The recent shootings follow a year in which Alamo City residents and police killed more than twice as many people in what officials have deemed justified homicides, ones in which the shooter acted within the law.
Tuesday night's fatal shooting of two suspected home invaders marked the latest example of a resident using deadly force to fend off intruders, authorities said.
"It appears to be a justified shooting," said Sgt. Gabe Trevino, a San Antonio Police Department spokesman.
Alex Salas, 17, shot two men as the intruders kicked in the front door of his parents' home in the 100 block of Horace Street, according to a police report.
Michael Garcia, 18, was pronounced dead at the scene. Alexander Lopez, 17, was critically wounded and died around noon Wednesday at University Hospital.
Police said Garcia, a documented gang member who was armed Tuesday, collapsed on a sidewalk outside the near North Side home.
"I don't think (Garcia) even had a chance to fire (his weapon)," said Police Sgt. John Slaughter.
The resident told police he armed himself after noticing a tan sport utility vehicle circling the neighborhood suspiciously before two men exited the vehicle and kicked in his door. Residents at the home declined to comment Wednesday.
Investigators will try to determine whether Tuesday's invasion was related to gang activity, Trevino said. Even if it was gang-related, Salas would still be justified because he was protecting his family and property in accordance with Texas law, police said.
"What the suspects are doing there and what involvement they have with the homeowner, we'll definitely look at it," Trevino said.
The latest incident followed a year in which San Antonio's justified homicides more than doubled from seven in 2007 to 17 in 2008. Some of the killings were police-involved shootings. Several homicides were justified under state law, including the so-called "castle doctrine," which allows property owners to use deadly force to protect homes.
Various law enforcement agencies across the country also have reported an increase in justified homicides. George R. Franks Jr., a criminal justice professor at Stephen F. Austin University, said publicity of high-profile justified shootings has inspired others to take up arms.
"As people see these things happening to folks they identify with, they decide it's time for them to arm themselves," he said.
Tuesday night's shooting occurred a day after a West Side homeowner shot and injured a 15-year-old boy as the teen and his father attempted to break into a residence. The 33-year-old homeowner was not charged in Monday's shooting.
In a third justified shooting, a San Antonio police officer shot and wounded an armed robbery and carjacking suspect outside a Northwest Side apartment complex after a high-speed chase Friday. According to police, the suspect tried to point a gun at the officer.
2 dead in city's third justified shooting
The recent shootings follow a year in which Alamo City residents and police killed more than twice as many people in what officials have deemed justified homicides, ones in which the shooter acted within the law.
Tuesday night's fatal shooting of two suspected home invaders marked the latest example of a resident using deadly force to fend off intruders, authorities said.
"It appears to be a justified shooting," said Sgt. Gabe Trevino, a San Antonio Police Department spokesman.
Alex Salas, 17, shot two men as the intruders kicked in the front door of his parents' home in the 100 block of Horace Street, according to a police report.
Michael Garcia, 18, was pronounced dead at the scene. Alexander Lopez, 17, was critically wounded and died around noon Wednesday at University Hospital.
Police said Garcia, a documented gang member who was armed Tuesday, collapsed on a sidewalk outside the near North Side home.
"I don't think (Garcia) even had a chance to fire (his weapon)," said Police Sgt. John Slaughter.
The resident told police he armed himself after noticing a tan sport utility vehicle circling the neighborhood suspiciously before two men exited the vehicle and kicked in his door. Residents at the home declined to comment Wednesday.
Investigators will try to determine whether Tuesday's invasion was related to gang activity, Trevino said. Even if it was gang-related, Salas would still be justified because he was protecting his family and property in accordance with Texas law, police said.
"What the suspects are doing there and what involvement they have with the homeowner, we'll definitely look at it," Trevino said.
The latest incident followed a year in which San Antonio's justified homicides more than doubled from seven in 2007 to 17 in 2008. Some of the killings were police-involved shootings. Several homicides were justified under state law, including the so-called "castle doctrine," which allows property owners to use deadly force to protect homes.
Various law enforcement agencies across the country also have reported an increase in justified homicides. George R. Franks Jr., a criminal justice professor at Stephen F. Austin University, said publicity of high-profile justified shootings has inspired others to take up arms.
"As people see these things happening to folks they identify with, they decide it's time for them to arm themselves," he said.
Tuesday night's shooting occurred a day after a West Side homeowner shot and injured a 15-year-old boy as the teen and his father attempted to break into a residence. The 33-year-old homeowner was not charged in Monday's shooting.
In a third justified shooting, a San Antonio police officer shot and wounded an armed robbery and carjacking suspect outside a Northwest Side apartment complex after a high-speed chase Friday. According to police, the suspect tried to point a gun at the officer.
2 dead in city's third justified shooting