Suspect arrested in ambush killing of San Antonio police officer Benjamin Marconi

Otis Tyrone McKane, 31, a suspect in the shooting death of SAPD Det. Benjamin Marconi, is walked out of police headquarters downtown on Monday, November 21, 2016. Otis Tyrone McKane, 31, a suspect in the shooting death of SAPD Det. Benjamin Marconi, is walked out of police headquarters downtown on Monday, November 21, 2016. Photo: Matthew Busch, For The San Antonio Express-News Photo: Matthew Busch, For The San Antonio Express-News Image 1 of / 54 Caption Close Suspect arrested in ambush killing of San Antonio police officer Benjamin Marconi 1 / 54 Back to Gallery

SAN ANTONIO — A 31-year-old man arrested Monday in the fatal ambush shooting of SAPD Det. Benjamin Marconi, told reporters he was upset about a child custody battle and lashed out.

San Antonio police arrested Otis Tyrone McKane of San Antonio late Monday afternoon. Police Chief William McManus said he was taken into custody without incident.

As he was led past camera crews to be booked on a capital murder charge late Monday, McKane said he was upset about a child custody battle that prevented him from seeing his son and "I lashed out at someone who didn't deserve it."

"I've been through several custody battles, and I was upset at the situation I was in, and I lashed out at someone who didn't deserve it," McKane said before he was booked, according to a recording made available by KENS-TV. "I just want to see my son."

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Marconi, 50, was shot and killed about 11:45 a.m. Sunday during a traffic stop near SAPD headquarters in downtown. After a 30-hour manhunt, a SWAT team pulled over a vehicle on Interstate 10 East near Ackerman Road around 4:20 p.m. and arrested McKane. A female and 2-year-old child also were in the vehicle, police said.

"We are relieved he was taken into custody without further loss of life," McManus said. "It's a relief for a lot of us. Everyone's looking forward to a good night's sleep."

Marconi was issuing a traffic citation to another driver when a black sedan pulled up behind his patrol car, police said.

The man in the black vehicle walked up to Marconi's car and fired two shots through the passenger window, hitting the detective in the head, police said.

Marconi, who worked for the San Antonio police force for 20 years, was taken to the San Antonio Military Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

According to records, McKane was charged in 2012 with a misdemeanor of assault with bodily injury of a family member. He pleaded no contest and was sentenced to 60 days in jail.

McManus said police believe that the suspect entered the police headquarters at 315 S. Santa Rosa around 7:45 a.m. Sunday, spoke to a clerk for about 20 seconds and left. Four hours later Marconi was ambushed outside the building.

McManus said no officers were in the building at the time, but he declined to elaborate on the interaction, citing the ongoing investigation.

"I think the uniform was the target," McManus said.

Marconi's family released a statement Monday asking for privacy.

MORE: Ambush killing of SAPD's Marconi marks 18th officer killed in line of duty in Texas in 2016

"At this time, the Marconi family would like to give thanks from the bottom of our hearts for the outpouring of support, prayers and love we have received. At this time, we would appreciate privacy to mourn the loss of a wonderful father, brother, grandfather, friend and last, but not least, a peace officer," the family said, thanking the San Antonio community and the support they received from across the country.

Check back for more about this developing story.

Staff writers Bruce Selcraig, Chris Quinn, Tyler White, Silvia Foster-Frau, Kolten Parker, Kelsey Bradshaw and news researcher Mike Knoop contributed to this report.