Suicidal suspect killed in standoff

San Antonio police work at the scene of a police involved shooting that took place Monday March 4, 2013 about 6:00 a.m. on the 900 block of Drury. A man allegedly barricaded himself inside a home on the South Side and came out with a rifle and was shot to death by police. less San Antonio police work at the scene of a police involved shooting that took place Monday March 4, 2013 about 6:00 a.m. on the 900 block of Drury. A man allegedly barricaded himself inside a home on the South ... more Photo: John Davenport / Express-News Photo: John Davenport / Express-News Image 1 of / 6 Caption Close Suicidal suspect killed in standoff 1 / 6 Back to Gallery

In a bizarre incident early Monday that was broadcast live on TV news, San Antonio police shot and killed a suicidal security guard who had assaulted his former girlfriend, staged a traffic accident to cover it up, then refused to come out of his South Side house for hours.

Armed with a rifle, Jimmy James Garza Jr., 31, was shot multiple times about 6 a.m. when he rushed out of the house toward SWAT officers who had been posted outside for four hours. He was pronounced dead at the scene in the 900 block of Drury Lane, officials said.

It was not immediately known if Garza fired his gun, but according to police, no officers were injured. The sound of gunshots woke up residents two blocks away and was heard during KENS-TV's live coverage of the standoff.

Sgt. Javier Salazar, a Police Department spokesman, said that, preliminarily, it appeared that the officers were justified in their actions.

“They had a direct threat, and they responded appropriately to protect themselves,” he said. “It was done for the safety of the officers and the public's safety.”

Garza worked for 10 years as a security monitor at the Bexar County Community Supervisions and Corrections Department. The former girlfriend, 34, has been a probation officer since 2007.

Though they had broken up after an eight-month relationship, Garza and the woman met at a bar Sunday night, officials said. She told authorities that he had asked if he could take her home, and she agreed.

Inside Garza's SUV, he started to beat her.

“Everything was OK until he suddenly began hitting her while he was driving,” a police report states. Garza then handcuffed her, refused to take her home and continued to beat her. He “kept telling her this was going to be his last night alive,” the report said.

When they reached Garza's home, he reportedly dragged the woman inside by the wrists and threatened to shoot her with a handgun. Eventually, the report states, she convinced Garza that her injuries required medical attention. If she was hospitalized, she'd tell authorities she was injured in a fall, she reportedly suggested, but Garza countered that the injuries would appear more accidental if they instead staged a traffic accident.

“He concocted this plan to explain her injuries,” Police Chief William McManus said.

Once outside, she refused to participate in the scheme. While he drove off, she started knocking on neighbors' doors and eventually found someone to call 911.

Garza crashed his Ford Expedition into a fence less than a block away, startling Francis Barrera, and he ran away.

“Nobody really bothers us,” she said. “Until this happens.”

In the former girlfriend's call to police, she said someone “was after her with a gun.” When officers responded, they found her with bruised wrists and swollen eyes, bleeding from a cut to her forehead. Before she was taken to University Hospital, she gave police Garza's name and address.

Patrol officers went to the Drury Lane home, and SWAT officers were called to the house, starting the standoff.

It was not immediately clear why Garza suddenly bolted from the house.

Mike Helle, president of the San Antonio Police Officers Association, agreed with Salazar that the shooting appears to have been justified. Garza had a rifle, he said.

The six officers involved in the incident have been placed temporarily on administrative duty, as is customary.

Garza's friend Joshua Acosta said shortly after the shooting that he was in disbelief because Garza was not known to be violent or abusive with his ex-girlfriend.

“I have no idea where this stemmed from,” Acosta said. “I don't expect this from someone like him.”

Co-workers at the adult probation office were shocked, said corrections director Jarvis Anderson, adding that grief counselors were comforting staff.

“We're still investigating it on our end to see what happened,” Anderson said. “We're looking at all his past appraisals and evaluations, and there's nothing there that would have indicated something out of the norm.”

Anderson, who visited the woman at the hospital, said she appeared to be improving Monday afternoon. She declined a request for a media interview, but reportedly told Anderson that she had never felt threatened by Garza before and that although they sometimes argued about money, it never turned violent.

“She's really in shock about all of this herself,” Anderson said. “She asks herself what did she do. But I told her, 'You didn't do anything.'”

P.E.A.C.E. Initiative executive director Patricia Castillo, whose organization works to end domestic violence, said anyone attempting to break up with a potentially abusive partner should surround themselves with friends and family. The breakup period is the most dangerous time in volatile relationships, she said.

It's just as important to cut off all contact once the relationship ends, Castillo said.

“My consejo (advice) is ... if you're going to break up, you need to break up. End it, no phone calls, no text messages,” Castillo said. “You get lured into a false sense of security.”

Garza had no prior arrests, records show.

Acosta said Garza left behind a daughter, 3, and a son, 9. He had always lived in his parents' house on Drury Lane, even after they moved out once Garza was an adult.

Garza coached his son's Little League baseball team, Acosta said, before breaking into tears.

“I can't imagine something like that,” he said, his voice trailing as he watched investigators comb Garza's neighborhood for evidence.

aley@express-news.net

Staff Writer Eva Ruth Moravec contributed to this report.

