Graphic footage released by the San Antonio Police Department yesterday, provides a glimpse into the moments leading up to the fatal shooting of 33-year-old Jeffrey Schopp by SAPD officer, James Lopez on December 3, 2024. This body camera video, as reported by KSAT, has once again thrown the spotlight on police encounters and the split-second decisions that irrevocably alter lives. Viewer discretion is strongly advised for the distressing content which features explicit language and the sound of gunshots.
The incident, which transpired on the North Side of San Antonio, began when Officer Lopez approached Schopp for not using a pedestrian crossing. Lopez informed Schopp that he was being detained, to which Schopp first appeared to be compliant but then decided to quickly run away, resulting in a chase that led to a nearby drainage ditch. KENS 5 reports that the chase was initiated after Schopp was observed not using a crosswalk at Loop 410 and Jones Maltsberger Road. The tense encounter escalated to a deadly confrontation.
According to the video, after Schopp's initial interaction with Lopez on Jones Maltsberger Road, he apologizes but refuses to follow through with Lopez's commands. This refusal led to him eventually bolting from the officer. The pursuit ended at the drainage ditch where Lopez fired multiple shots at Schopp, who was found armed and was seen, according to police, raising his gun. Despite efforts at administering life-saving measures, Schopp was pronounced dead at the scene, with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head also being noted.
"You're going to get tased, bro. I'm going to f------ tase you," Lopez is heard saying in the video as he chases after Schopp, according to KSAT. Later, Lopez can be heard warning other assisting officers that Schopp had a gun. Still, when the threat seemed to materialize and Schopp raised his weapon, Lopez felt compelled to decisively act, resorting to use of his firearm. He fired a total of 14 shots during the incident, which was later determined to not only have ended with police gunfire but also with Schopp having shot himself in the head, as stated by authorities.
Officer James Lopez, who was unharmed, has been with the SAPD for four years. The Bexar County District Attorney’s Office is currently reviewing this incident, which marked the 20th shooting involving San Antonio police in 2024. As with all matters involving police use of force, the investigation remains ongoing.
