A Saturday stroll at a popular South Side park turned violent when a 3-year-old child was seriously injured in an attack that also left a woman hurt, witnesses told police. Other parkgoers stepped in and held the suspect on the ground until officers got there.
How Police Say the Assault Unfolded
The chaos broke out around 2:51 p.m., when a 27-year-old woman was walking through Espada Park with a 3-year-old child. A man allegedly grabbed the woman by the hair, yanking her down and causing her to drop the child, who was then assaulted, according to WOAI. A bystander rushed in, restrained the suspect and held him until police and medics arrived, the outlet reports.
A Family Park Turned Crime Scene
Espada Park, managed by the Parks & Recreation Department, stretches along Southeast Military Drive on the city’s southeast side and features walking trails, picnic areas and restrooms, per the City of San Antonio. The park is a regular hangout for families, walkers and cyclists, which has neighbors rattled to see it taped off as a crime scene.
Arrest, Charges and Injuries
Medics evaluated both the woman and the child at the scene. The child was reported to have serious injuries. Police arrested a 24-year-old man in connection with the attack, and he now faces charges that include aggravated assault and assault causing bodily injury, according to WOAI. Officers processed the area as a crime scene following the arrest.
A Tense Month Near the Mission Corridor
The park violence lands in the middle of a rough stretch for the Mission Espada corridor. Earlier this month, authorities were already on alert after a mystery body near Mission Espada put South Side residents on edge. Police are urging anyone with information about Saturday’s attack to call the San Antonio Police Department non-emergency line at 210-207-7273, as listed by the City of San Antonio.
