A Texas police officer was caught on camera shooting a man 15 times during a chase after confronting the man for jaywalking across the street.
But San Antonio police say Jeffrey Schopp, 33, died of a self-inflicted gunshot to the head. KENS 5 reports.
The incident began on December 3 when Police Officer James Lopez caught Schopp crossing the street at Loop 410 and Jones Maltsberger Road without using the crosswalk – which is a Class C misdemeanor in Texas, punishable by a fine of up to $200.
Body camera footage released by San Antonio police showed Lopez parking his police car and confronting Schopp, who was wearing a backpack.
The officer tells Schopp to walk towards him, at which point Schopp becomes defensive.
“I don’t do any of that, man,” he said as he sat down on the railing. “Am I under arrest?”
“You’re stuck now,” Lopez replies. “Walk over here.”
When Schopp then asked why he was being detained, Lopez replied that it was “because he crossed the street without a crosswalk.”
Body camera footage shows the moment San Antonio police officer James Lopez confronted 33-year-old Jeffrey Schopp for jaywalking
San Antonio police now say Schopp died of a self-inflicted gunshot to the head
Schopp then apologized to the officer, claiming he had to go to the hospital due to an arm injury.
But Lopez seemed to become even more irritated, raising his voice as he said, “I’m not looking for excuses. Get over here right now before I put handcuffs on you.”
Still, Schopp continued to apologize, which apparently made Lopez even angrier.
“I don’t listen to that shit,” the officer shot back. ‘Come here. Come over here now.’
At that point, Schopp dropped his backpack and ran across the street into a parking garage as Lopez gave chase.
At least two other officers then heard Lopez report the chase on the radio and joined in the bizarre chase, while Schopp was able to jump a fence.
He eventually ended up in a drainage ditch, where officers were able to contain him.
“Put the fuck on the ground,” Lopez shouted at Schopp as he approached.
“I’m going to screw you up,” the officer warns. “You’re going to get Tased, brother. I’m going to fucking taser you.”
Lopez and other officers gave chase after Schopp fled the scene and ended up in a drainage ditch
Schopp ran under a bridge, where he apparently pulled out a gun
But Schopp ran under a bridge, where he apparently pulled out a gun.
At that moment, Lopez shot twelve times and shouted, “He’s got a damn gun!”
After firing a dozen times, Lopez had to reload his rifle, while Schopp appeared on the other side of the bridge in the drainage ditch.
Another officer was then heard yelling, “Drop the gun,” but it does not appear they fired their gun.
Lopez, on the other hand, fired three more times, and then Schopp was seen to fall to the ground.
San Antonio police claimed in the aftermath that Lopez feared for the safety of the other officers in the area when he fired his service weapon.
San Antonio police noted that a .22-caliber handgun was recovered at the scene
It initially stated that Schopp was killed after being hit in the chest.
But following an investigation into the police-involved shooting, police allege Schopp died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
A .22-caliber handgun was recovered at the scene, officers noted.
Still, Lopez, who has been a member of the San Antonio Police Department for four years, has been placed on paid administrative leave as the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office conducts its own investigation. according to Texas Public Radio.
An autopsy report likely won’t be available for at least six weeks, according to the district attorney’s standard timeline for completing reports.
The deadly encounter marked the 20th San Antonio police shooting of 2024.