An armed robbery at an East Side H-E-B turned fatal when a supposed shoplifter engaged in a shootout with security guards on Monday afternoon. The suspect, believed to be in his 40s, was spotted stealing food items before drawing a weapon inside the San Antonio supermarket, FOX San Antonio reported.
According to the police account, after being confronted by store security, the man began "recklessly pointing" his handgun at customers and employees. A chase ensued when the man attempted to escape from the H-E-B located on East Houston Street and North New Braunfels Avenue, as Express News detailed. The confrontation escalated outside the store, where the suspect and security guards exchanged gunfire.
During the shooting, both security guards were hit but are now recovering in stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries. Both guards returned gunfire, hitting the suspect, as stated in the police report covered by FOX San Antonio. The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene by authorities.
Officers were dispatched to the scene just before the 1:30 p.m. incident. San Antonio Police Chief William McManus recounted that the man postured himself behind a vehicle outside the store and began firing at the security officers. It's not confirmed whether the individual succeeded in taking any goods or money from the store before he was shot and killed in the exchange, according to Express News.
In the aftermath of the event, the H-E-B store was momentarily closed but resumed operations the following morning at 8 a.m. An H-E-B spokesperson clarified, "The shooting did not take place on H-E-B property. No partners or customers were injured."
Officials continue to investigate the fatal incident. The history of the deceased man's prior interactions with law enforcement, if any, was not disclosed by the police.
