Tensions flared at a west-side H-E-B today when gunshots were reported inside the store, causing unsettled reactions among local residents. Around 1 p.m., Bexar County sheriff's deputies and Leon Valley police rushed to the scene at the 5600 block of Bandera Road, near Loop 410. According to KENS 5, initial reports from the Bexar County Sheriff's Office indicated a woman was "struck by gunfire," a claim that was later called into question as both the Leon Valley Police Department and an H-E-B spokesperson reported no injuries at the store.
The incident provoked a brief moment of confusion, with conflicting information regarding the potential casualties. However, the suspect in the case, a man in his 30s whose name has yet to be released, was subsequently apprehended. Amidst the chaos, the man was found walking in the midst of traffic by authorities before being arrested. "The reported gunman was fleeing the scene after the shooting but was found walking in the middle of traffic," Leon Valley Police Chief David Gonzalez told MySA.
Details concerning the motive and the circumstances of the shooting inside the H-E-B, located near several local businesses and Pat Neff Middle School, were not immediately available. The proximity of the shooting prompted concern for student safety; however, a spokesperson for Northside Independent School District reassured the public that Pat Neff Middle School did not need to go on lockdown or a secure status as a result of the nearby incident.
As the investigation continues, the Leon Valley community remains on alert, yet relieved that the swift action of law enforcement prevented any physical harm to witnesses and bystanders. The store has since resumed its operation, as an H-E-B spokesperson confirmed to MySA, "the H-E-B is open and confirmed no injuries occurred to its customers or partners." While the aftershock of the incident resonates, the absence of physical injuries has served as a small comfort amidst the turmoil of the day's events.
