Bexar sheriff's sergeant shoots, kills man

A Bexar County sheriff's sergeant shot and killed a teenager early Sunday in what he said was self-defense.

Sgt. Frank Bellino was on Culebra Road near FM 1560 on the far Northwest Side around 2 a.m. when he saw the 19-year-old walking partially in the street, apparently intoxicated, Bexar County sheriff's Detective Louis Antu said.

Bellino activated his emergency lights and approached the man, whose behavior was erratic, Antu said. After putting his hands on the vehicle so Bellino could pat him down for weapons, the man became violent, Antu said.

Antu said the teen attacked the sergeant and tried to shove him into oncoming traffic. Bellino then shot the teen multiple times before summoning EMS, he said.

“The sergeant was in fear for his life,” Antu said.

The teen was taken to University Hospital, where he died. His name has not been released, pending notification of next of kin.

Bellino, a 26-year veteran, was placed on paid administrative leave for 10 days.

Antu said investigators were looking into reports of a man acting suspiciously at a nearby gas station shortly before the shooting. Officers expected to get the station's surveillance video today, and planned to compare the man to the deceased teen.

The incident was the second officer-involved shooting in Bexar County in three days. On Friday, a SWAT team shot and injured a man who called 911 and threatened to shoot police. After SWAT members surrounded Christopher Mendez's house, he released his mother and a man who were inside the house before pointing a gun at deputies, who fired several times.

Mendez, 25, was taken to San Antonio Military Medical Center with injuries not thought to be life-threatening.

More Information Deputies shoot man after standoff

hoconnor@express-news.net

Eva Ruth Moravec contributed to this report.