The Consequences of Negligence: SAPD Officer Fired for Failing to Pat Down Teenager Who Shot Himself
An unfortunate incident shook the Bexar County Jail earlier this year when a teenager, Jesus Gonzales, shot and killed himself. The San Antonio Police Department took action against Officer Abdiel Munoz for his role in the tragedy.
On July 29, Officer Abdiel Munoz received an indefinite suspension after an internal affairs investigation found him guilty of neglecting his duty and displaying incompetence. The incident occurred when Jesus Gonzales, 19, managed to pull out a gun and take his own life while being strip-searched by a Bexar County sheriff’s deputy on March 3.
SAPD body-worn camera footage revealed that multiple officers, including Munoz, failed to pat down Gonzales properly after his arrest on a felony warrant at a local restaurant. The Sheriff Javier Salazar criticized this oversight, emphasizing the importance of preventing weapons from entering jails.
Gonzales Concealed a Gun in His Clothing
According to Munoz’s discipline records, he searched Gonzales upon the initial arrest and then took him to jail. While in custody, a series of events led to the fatal shooting. Despite a pat-down by a BCSO deputy, Gonzales managed to conceal a handgun in his clothing and use it on himself.
Munoz, who had served with SAPD since 2010, faced consequences for his negligence. However, there is no information available on whether other officers involved in the arrest faced disciplinary actions.
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