SAN ANTONIO, Texas – An unfortunate and unusual turn of events took place in the San Antonio area this weekend after someone was able to walk into an area jail with an unsuspecting weapon.
According to officials, a 19-year-old man was brought into the Bexar County Jail Sunday afternoon to be booked. Six minutes later, he was dead.
“It’s pretty apparent to us that it appears to be a suicide,” said Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar.
Salazar said Jesus Gonzales was arrested on a felony domestic violence charge.
He said that during processing, a deputy strip-searched Gonzales.
“By our policy, we strip search all inmates that are brought in on a felony,” explained Salazar.
During the search, Gonzales almost immediately pulled out a semi-automatic handgun and shot himself.
“How did the gun get there?” asked reporter Daniela Ibarra from our sister station, KSAT.
“It’s a secure facility,” responded Salazar. “I mean, literally nobody is armed. Not even us.”
Salazar said the gun “should have been found before it got to that point.”
Initial reports from SAPD state that an officer arrested Gonzales Sunday morning without incident on a family violence warrant.
The officer searched Gonzales, placed him in a patrol car, and buckled him in.
According to San Antonio police policy regarding searches, officers are responsible for searching those they arrest for weapons, dangerous objects, contraband, or evidence.
“Transporting officers are held accountable for any prisoner arriving at a detention facility or processing room with a weapon, dangerous object, or contraband on his person,” the policy states.
“Clearly, a weapon was missed,” said Salazar.
Additionally, SAPD policy states that officers are supposed to ask the person being placed in custody several questions about their mental health and suicidal thoughts before releasing them to detention center personnel.
A preliminary report sent to media outlets before noon on Monday states that the SAPD Homicide Unit is investigating the shooting and that SAPD Internal Affairs will conduct a separate investigation.
KSAT requested to speak with SAPD Chief William McManus about the incident but have not heard back.
“All we can assume at this point is that he came into the facility with the weapon, hidden under several layers of clothing,” said Salazar. “But still, absolutely the weapon had to have been, should have been found before that.”
Salazar said the deputy who witnessed the suicide is on administrative duty.
He added that none of the deputies in that section of the jail were armed or hurt.
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