Man killed after chasing car theft suspect identified

Jacob Gabriel, 23, is taken to a San Antonio police squad car in handcuffs hours Sunday afternoon after he allegedly stole a car and fatally shot a witness who had pursued him. Jacob Gabriel, 23, is taken to a San Antonio police squad car in handcuffs hours Sunday afternoon after he allegedly stole a car and fatally shot a witness who had pursued him. Photo: Alexandro Luna /Contributor Photo: Alexandro Luna /Contributor Image 1 of / 69 Caption Close Man killed after chasing car theft suspect identified 1 / 69 Back to Gallery

A man fatally shot after chasing a car theft suspect for miles was identified Tuesday by the Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Jonathan Connelly, 30, died Sunday as a result of a gunshot wound to the chest, according to the examiner’s office.

The man accused of shooting Connelly, 23-year-old Jacob Gabriel, was arrested and charged with murder moments after the deadly chase, according to the San Antonio Police Department.

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Police said the theft was reported shortly after 1:30 p.m. Sunday. Witnesses told police that a man had taken a four-door silver Kia from the EZ Buy Citgo gas station at 13550 O’Connor Road and sped off.

SAPD spokeswoman Sgt. Michelle Ramos said several witnesses got in their vehicles and chased the driver.

According to reports, Gabriel at one point found a gun inside the Kia and exited the vehicle to confront his pursuers, according to reports.

Police said Gabriel had fired a shot but missed one of the witnesses. When a confrontation turned into a fistfight, Gabriel fired again, striking Connelly in the torso, according to reports.

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Connelly was taken to Brooke Army Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 2:29 p.m., according to the medical examiner’s website.

Police reported finding Gabriel shortly after the chase at the Stay Express Inn, 9503 Interstate 35.

jbeltran@express-news.net | Twitter: @JBfromSA