Melissa Perez Death, Who was Melissa Perez? How did Melissa Perez Die?
by Mathelene
Updated Jul 11, 2023
Melissa Perez Death
The family of Melissa Perez, who was fatally shot by San Antonio police officers in June, is taking legal action by filing a wrongful-death lawsuit against the city and the three officers involved, who have already been charged with murder. The lawsuit argues that the San Antonio Police Department's formal and informal policies were the direct cause of Melissa Perez's death.
It specifically highlights the department's policies concerning mental health calls and the handling of such situations by the mental health unit as contributing factors to Perez's tragic outcome. According to the complaint, the police department's consistent failure to discipline officers created an environment that tolerated the inappropriate and unconstitutional use of excessive force.
The encounter between the police and Perez unfolded on June 23 when officers responded to a call regarding wires being cut to a fire alarm system at her apartment complex. Chief William McManus stated during a news conference that it appeared Perez was experiencing a mental health crisis.
After initially engaging with the officers outside, Perez retreated back into her apartment and locked the door. McManus reported that an officer attempted to open a window, prompting Perez to throw a glass candleholder at him. During the incident, Perez swung a hammer at one of the officers but missed, striking and breaking a window instead. McManus stated that one officer then opened fire, but Perez was not hit and continued speaking as captured by officers' body camera footage.
However, as Perez advanced toward the window again while still holding the hammer, all three officers discharged their firearms, resulting in her death at the scene. The arrest warrant revealed that although Perez approached the officers with a hammer, she did not pose an immediate threat of serious bodily harm or death because there were physical barriers, such as a wall, a television blocking the window, and a locked door, separating them.
The officers involved in the incident, Officer Eleazar Alejandro, Sgt. Alfred Flores, and Officer Nathaniel Villalobos, were charged with murder within 24 hours of the encounter. They have since been suspended without pay pending the ongoing investigation. The officers were released on $100,000 bond, and they have not commented to the media.
Perez's family seeks compensation that corresponds to the harm caused and aims to bring attention to necessary improvements to prevent wrongful deaths at the hands of the police in San Antonio. They believe that the City itself bears responsibility for Perez's death due to the policies, procedures, training, and lack of enforcement.
San Antonio city officials have stated their intention to pursue a swift resolution through the judicial system and have emphasized that the San Antonio Police Department has established training, policies, and procedures in place to uphold residents' constitutional rights. They assert that the officers involved did not adhere to these protocols.
The head of the San Antonio police union expressed condolences to Perez's family, stating that Chief McManus followed the necessary protocols in response to the shooting. The union president refrained from commenting further until the investigation concludes and the judicial process is underway.
Melissa Perez's children, ranging in age from 9 to 24, are experiencing profound grief over the loss of their mother. The family's attorney emphasized their struggle to comprehend why three police officers would simultaneously open fire on a woman in her own home, separated by a wall.
Who was Melissa Perez?
Melissa Perez was a 46-year-old woman who tragically lost her life in an encounter with the San Antonio Police Department. On June 23, 2023, officers responded to a call reporting an incident of wires being cut to a fire alarm system at Melissa Perez's apartment complex. The police encounter with Perez unfolded at her residence.
According to reports, Perez was experiencing a mental health crisis during the incident. After engaging with the officers outside, she retreated back into her apartment and locked the door. A series of events followed, including Perez throwing a glass candleholder at an officer and swinging a hammer in their direction. In response, all three officers discharged their firearms, resulting in Perez being shot and killed at the scene.
Following the incident, the officers involved, Sergeant Alfred Flores, Officer Eleazar Alejandro, and Officer Nathaniel Villalobos, were suspended from their positions and subsequently charged with murder. Investigations were launched by various divisions, including the San Antonio Police Department's Internal Affairs Division, Civil Rights Division, and the Bexar County District Attorney's Civil Rights Division.
Melissa Perez's family is seeking justice by filing a wrongful-death lawsuit against the city and the three officers involved. The lawsuit alleges that the San Antonio Police Department's policies, both formal and informal, were responsible for Perez's death. It specifically points to the department's handling of mental health calls and its failure to discipline officers for creating a culture that tolerated the improper and unconstitutional use of excessive force.
Perez's tragic death has sparked concerns about police conduct and accountability, leading to ongoing investigations and calls for improvements in policies and training to prevent similar incidents. Her family seeks compensation for the harm done and aims to bring attention to the need for changes in order to prevent wrongful deaths at the hands of the police in San Antonio.
What Happened Melissa Perez?
On Friday, June 23, 2023, Melissa Perez, a 46-year-old woman, tragically lost her life in an incident involving three officers from the San Antonio Police Department. The officers involved in this unfortunate incident are Sergeant Alfred Flores, Officer Eleazar Alejandro, and Officer Nathaniel Villalobos. They have since been suspended from their positions and arrested on charges of murder.
The events leading up to Melissa Perez's death began when a call was made to the police regarding a reported incident of wires being cut to a fire alarm at her apartment complex. The police responded to the call at approximately 12:27 am local time. Upon their arrival at the scene, they encountered Melissa Perez engaged in a conversation with a fire official.
The officers attempted to initiate a conversation with Melissa Perez, but she retreated into her apartment. A verbal and physical altercation ensued between Melissa Perez and the three officers. Tragically, during this altercation, all three officers discharged their firearms, resulting in Melissa Perez sustaining fatal injuries. Medical personnel who arrived at the scene subsequently pronounced her dead.
In response to this tragic incident, the San Antonio Police Department took immediate action by suspending Sergeant Alfred Flores, Officer Eleazar Alejandro, and Officer Nathaniel Villalobos from their positions. Furthermore, the officers were arrested and are now facing charges of murder.
This incident has raised concerns and sparked investigations into the actions of the involved officers and the circumstances surrounding Melissa Perez's death. The authorities are working diligently to gather all relevant information and evidence to determine the sequence of events and establish accountability for this unfortunate loss of life.
How Did Melissa Perez Die?
According to Police Chief William McManus, Melissa Perez was believed to be experiencing a mental health crisis at the time of the incident, as reported by the New York Post. After the officers confronted Perez, she quickly retreated into her house, refusing to come out and citing the absence of a warrant. Allegedly, when the officers threatened to shoot her, she defiantly responded with the statement, "Shoot me – you ain't got no warrant."
Subsequently, it was reported that Melissa Perez threw a candlestick at the officers and swung a hammer in their direction. In response to these actions, all three officers discharged their firearms, resulting in Perez being shot twice and declared dead at the scene. Chief McManus acknowledged that the officers' actions were not in line with the policies and training of the San Antonio Police Department.
He stated that the officers had used deadly force, which was deemed unreasonable given the circumstances as they are currently understood. In light of the incident, an investigation is underway involving multiple divisions, including the Internal Affairs Division and Civil Rights Division of the San Antonio Police Department, as well as the Bexar County District Attorney's Civil Rights Division.
The purpose of these investigations is to gather information, examine the circumstances surrounding Melissa Perez's death, and assess whether any violations of departmental policies or civil rights occurred.
Melissa Perez Death - FAQs
On Friday, June 23, 2023, Melissa Perez, a 46-year-old woman, tragically lost her life in an incident involving three officers from the San Antonio Police Department.
The police responded to a call regarding wires being cut to a fire alarm system at Melissa Perez's apartment complex. Upon their arrival, an altercation ensued between Perez and the officers, which ultimately resulted in her being shot.
It was reported that Melissa Perez was experiencing a mental health crisis at the time of the incident, as acknowledged by Police Chief William McManus.
Yes, there are ongoing investigations being conducted by the San Antonio Police Department's Internal Affairs Division, Civil Rights Division, and the Bexar County District Attorney's Civil Rights Division.
Melissa Perez's family is experiencing profound grief following her death. The family's attorney described the incomprehensible grief felt by Perez's children, ranging in age from 9 to 24. They are struggling to understand why three police officers would simultaneously open fire on their mother in her own home.