Police reported that a 44-year-old man initially sought help but later fired a shotgun toward firefighters at a South Side fire station in San Antonio, prompting an emergency response and negotiations that ended in his peaceful surrender.
The tense incident unfolded overnight on New Laredo Highway in South San Antonio. Firefighters at the station called police for assistance after the man, armed with a shotgun, discharged his weapon in the area.
A neighbor who was working on a car nearby described hearing a loud, distinct noise and feeling a bullet whiz past his head, forcing him to take cover. The neighbor, known as Spanky, told reporters he and others initially feared someone was hiding in a nearby park and sniping at people.
Police confirmed the man was hiding behind bushes on a nearby street. After negotiations, authorities said 44-year-old Vince Garcia complied with instructions and surrendered without further incident.
Garcia faces two misdemeanor counts, with total bonds set at $10,000.
The situation, which created dangerous moments for both firefighters and nearby residents, resolved peacefully thanks to coordinated efforts between firefighters and police negotiators. No injuries were reported in the incident.
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