SAN ANTONIO – A Bexar County Medical Examiner's office identified an adult probation officer who died after an accidental shooting as Thomas Zaldivar, 53.
Officials with the Bexar County Sheriff's Office said Zaldivar was at the Bullet Hole gun range near Highway 90 and Grosenbacher Road around 3 p.m. Monday when he accidentally shot himself in the groin area.
"We found the victim bleeding a lot. He was in and out of consciousness. We were able to call for AirLIFE to come pick him up," said James Keith, chief communication officer for the Bexar County Sheriff's Office.
Zaldivar later died at University Hospital.
"At this point, we have no reason to believe that there was any sort of foul play or that this was done on purpose," Keith said. "This is somebody who was very experienced with a gun and unfortunately, even he became the victim of it."
Zaldivar's neighbors were shocked to hear about his death, and disturbed by how he died.
"I'm sorry to hear about that poor man," said Janie Silva.
"It's sad. We were caught off-guard," said Gilbert Rodriguez.
Neighbors said they were sad to lose a friend on the street who was caring for his sick mother and took pride in his lawn.
"He loved to work in the yard. He was always manicuring the yard, mowing the lawn, watering the grass, and he was very friendly," Rodriguez said.
A spokesperson for the Bexar County Adult Probation Department said Zaldivar has been with the department for 24 years.
