A shooting involving San Antonio police occurred Friday night west of downtown. The suspect was in critical condition as the investigation got underway.
The Friday night incident occurred west of downtown. San Antonio police Chief Salame leads the department.
The suspect was in critical condition after the encounter. Whether any officers were injured remained unclear as the investigation continued.
A Bar With a Recent, Troubling History
A separate incident occurred at the Kozy Korner's parking lot on September 2, 2026. A young man was found dead there with electrical burns and injuries consistent with an apparent fall, according to Hoodline's earlier report on the death investigation at the same West Side address.
The shooting also lands during a pivotal stretch for SAPD leadership. San Antonio City Council unanimously confirmed Jesus “Jesse” Salame Jr. as police chief on September 10, 2026, making him the first Alamo City native to lead the department in two decades, following former chief William McManus's retirement, per the San Antonio Express-News.
Salame's Background and Discipline
Salame previously served as chief of staff and assistant chief. He has addressed issues of accountability and discipline.
During his confirmation hearing, Salame also reiterated department policy on federal immigration enforcement, telling City Council that SAPD officers are not federal immigration agents and do not enforce civil immigration laws, according to Texas Public Radio's coverage of the meeting.
A Department Under Scrutiny
Friday's shooting adds to a year already marked by intense examination of SAPD's use of force.
That scrutiny has extended to prosecutors as well. In September, the Bexar County District Attorney's Office dropped charges against a suspect accused of shooting at SAPD officers after determining the officers had fired from an unmarked vehicle without properly identifying themselves, a development that stunned the police union, according to a video posted to Facebook. Whether Friday's shooting near the Kozy Korner will draw similar scrutiny from the DA's office remains to be seen as the review process moves forward.
