SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Police Department has identified the officer involved in a gun battle early Wednesday on the city's Northwest Side.
Nathan Becerra, a 4-year veteran, was wounded in the stomach and leg during the shootout, police Chief William McManus said. He is expected to make a full recovery.
Becerra, who is assigned to the patrol division, was one of two officers who first arrived in the 6100 block of Ingram Road after 12 a.m. Wednesday to investigate a disturbance. A woman who lives at the Hilltop Oaks Apartments had called for help.
"They got on the scene and found out that it was a home invasion," McManus said. "They were directed around the other side of the apartment building."
Related: Man shot, killed by police no stranger to SAPD
McManus said the officers noticed three men sitting in a car toward the back of the building, .
He said when the officers approached the men, the two in the front seat put up a fight, physically struggling with the officers.
"The passenger in the back seat got out of the car with a handgun. He started shooting at one of the officers. The officer fired back," McManus said.
Neighbors said they heard as many as 20 gunshots ring out.
Becerra, although wounded, managed to shoot the suspect, McManus said. He said the second officer also fired his weapon.
Giovani Casiano, 26, died at the scene.
Chief McManus briefing officer involved shooting at 6130 Ingram Rd. Officer down
Posted by San Antonio Police Department on Tuesday, July 25, 2017
Police said they arrested only one of the two other men who were in the car.
Dennis Moran, 27, faces a list of charges, including attempted capital murder of a police officer.
A news release stated that police released the other man without charging him.
Shortly before 7 a.m., a tow truck arrived at the apartment complex to haul away the suspects' vehicle.
More than half a dozen bullet holes were clearly visible in the windows and doors of the car.
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