FBI opens civil rights investigation into fatal on-camera shooting of San Antonio man

Gilbert Flores was shot and killed by deputies from the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office during a domestic disturbance in the 24400 block of Walnut Pass on Aug. 28. See everything we know about the shooting and what led up to it in the gallery ahead. less Gilbert Flores was shot and killed by deputies from the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office during a domestic disturbance in the 24400 block of Walnut Pass on Aug. 28. See everything we know about the shooting and ... more Image 1 of / 113 Caption Close FBI opens civil rights investigation into fatal on-camera shooting of San Antonio man 1 / 113 Back to Gallery

SAN ANTONIO — The FBI said Tuesday afternoon it has opened a federal civil rights investigation into the fatal shooting of a man by two Bexar County Sheriff's deputies, which was captured on cellphone video.

"We coordinate our investigation to ensure that we are not interfering with (BSCO's) investigation," said FBI spokeswoman Michelle Lee. "They have been extremely cooperative and transparent."

Gilbert Flores, 41, was shot by deputies Robert Sanchez and Greg Vasquez on Aug. 28 in his front yard at a Northwest Side neighborhood. A video of the incident appears to show Flores' hands raised just before the deputies opened fire, however, Flores' left hand is obstructed by a utility pole.

Authorities have not said whether Flores had a weapon in his hand at the time of the shooting and have refused to provide a written report of the incident, pending a full investigation. The Sheriff's Office has not responded to multiple requests for comment.

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“Experienced civil rights investigators from the FBI will thoroughly review the facts and circumstances surrounding the shooting. Our focus is to determine whether a civil rights violation took place as a result of a deputy willfully engaging in the use of excessive or unjustified force," the bureau said in a statement to the Express-News.

See everything we know about the shooting of Gilbert Flores by Bexar County Sheriff's deputies in the gallery above.

Sanchez and Vasquez have nearly 40 years of combined law enforcement experience, all of which were spent at the Bexar County Sheriff's Office, according to records obtained by the Express-News.

Sheriff's Office Spokesman James Keith said in an email Tuesday morning that all the department's deputies are on "heightened awareness" after receiving threats.

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U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, a San Antonio Democrat, said Tuesday that the "encounter is extremely disturbing as it appears to show an unarmed man with his hands up being shot by a deputy."

"I trust that District Attorney Nico LaHood will pursue an indictment if all the evidence merits it,” he said.

Another video of the shooting, which has not been publicly released, provides a "very clear view" of the confrontation between deputies and Flores, according to Bexar County District Attorney Nico LaHood.

LaHood called both videos "disturbing," but cautioned against a rush to judgement. He refused to provide further information about the second video.

According to the records, Sanchez has worked for the department for more than 25 years. Records show he began his service as a jailer on Sept. 2 of 1990. He later became a licensed peace officer on Aug. 18 of 1992.

Vasquez has been employed by the Sheriff’s Office for more than 12 years. Records show he became a jailer on Feb. 24 of 2003, and later started as a peace officer on May 19 of 2005.

Additionally, documents show both men had received use of force training in August of 2014.

The statement comes a day after KSAT-TV released an unedited version of a cellphone video showing two Bexar County Sheriff’s Deputies fatally shooting a man who appeared to have his hands in the air. The station bought exclusive rights to the video from a witness for $100.

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Castro added that the shooting "is further evidence that police officers and deputies should wear body cameras."

On Tuesday, the Bexar County Commissioners Court approved a $1.7 billion budget that included $630,000 for dash and body cameras for deputies.

Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff said the recorded incident poses "a very, very difficult issue" that's now become national news fodder.

"That is one shot of it. I understand there is another one that has not been brought forward. I know the district attorney is working diligently on the case and he'll be coming to a decision in the relatively near future," Wolff said.

Staff writer John W. Gonzalez contributed to this report.

mdwilson@express-news.net

Twitter: @MDWilsonSA