SAN ANTONIO – A man who was first considered a person of interest is now suspected in the shooting death of Detective Benjamin Marconi near police headquarters, San Antonio police Chief William McManus said Monday.
McManus said there are various reasons why the man is suspected, but he wouldn't elaborate further.
He said the man showed up at police headquarters four hours before shooting Marconi, who was writing a ticket in his police cruiser.
Police on Monday released two surveillance videos that show the man at the building, which is also known as public safety headquarters.
"I don't know why he was in headquarters," McManus said at a news conference. "We have some ideas why we believe he had been in headquarters. But we're not quite sure. There are several motives that we are looking at."
One of the videos showed the man leaning down and saying something through the intercom, after which he was admitted into the building.
McManus said the man talked with the clerk at the front desk.
"He asked a question. The clerk said they would help him with that, and he said 'never mind' and walked," he said.
McManus said the man should be considered "to be extremely dangerous, both to the police and to the public." He said that the suspect should not be approached and that anyone who sees him should call police.
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The chief said he didn't know if the man was from the San Antonio area.
He was described as a black man between 20 and 30 years old, 5 feet, 7 inches to 6 feet tall. He has a slim build with a goatee and might have a tattoo on his left arm.
He is believed to be in a black 2009-2012 four-door Mitsubishi Galant (pictured below) with chrome rims.
Anyone with information on this case is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 210-224-STOP (7867) or 911.
Tips can also be posted on the Crime Stoppers website.
A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of the man.
SAPD also want to talk with the people seen in the picture below. They were also at police headquarters Sunday and may have seen the shooting, police said.
McManus said SAPD is getting help in the investigation from local, state and federal agencies.
"We have pulled out all the stops," he said.
McManus said his officers "absolutely felt targeted" by the shooting. "I feel we were targeted," he said. "I think the uniform was the target, and the first person who happened along was the person that he targeted."
He also said officers will be doubling up in police cruisers until the man is captured.
"It's an option, but we're encouraging it," McManus said.
The Marconi Family on Monday released the following statement on the passing of their loved one:
"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. Thank you to the San Antonio community and nation as a whole for your support."