Earlier today, a Live Oak police officer opened fire on a suspect after nearly being hit by a car the officer had been chasing, according to local authorities. The incident, which involved a stolen 2016 Kia Soul, unfolded in a city park around 2:50 a.m. and ended with the teenage driver sustaining a gunshot wound.
The confrontation began when the officer spotted the vehicle during closed park hours and tried to stop it, as per KENS 5. The suspects attempted to flee to a nearby cul-de-sac, ignoring emergency lights and sirens. When the officer got out of his patrol car, the driver then attempted to abruptly speed up and "strike the officer with the vehicle," prompting the officer to fire his weapon.
The chase came to a halt on Standing Oaks Street, near Sandpiper Drive, where the injured suspects were treated by emergency responders. A handgun was also found in the stolen vehicle. Both the driver and passenger are minors, officials said, and the officer involved was unharmed in the incident.
As a result of the shooting and ongoing investigation, Standing Oaks Street and neighboring areas were closed off to traffic. The Bexar County Office of Emergency Management provided support with two vehicles, including a mobile incident support trailer, as per KSAT. The street closures were expected to last into Thursday afternoon, impacting the local neighborhood until the scene was thoroughly processed.
Live Oak Police, alongside the Texas Rangers, continued to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Further details were pending as the story was still developing at the time of reporting.
