SAN ANTONIO, TX — Early Sunday morning, a fatal shooting occurred outside an after-hours establishment on San Antonio’s South Side, with the shooter claiming self-defense after the victim allegedly attempted to run over multiple people with his vehicle.

San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) officers responded to the incident around 3 a.m. at the 3100 block of Mission Road. When officers arrived, they found a man inside a vehicle with an apparent gunshot wound. Emergency responders pronounced him dead at the scene, and the Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office has tentatively identified the victim as a 30-year-old man.

According to SAPD’s preliminary investigation, the victim reportedly threatened others by stating he would shoot them and attempted to use his vehicle to run over multiple people in the parking lot. In response to the perceived danger, the shooter, who remained on the scene, told officers he fired in self-defense to protect himself and others from an imminent threat.

As of now, no charges have been filed against the shooter, but SAPD has noted that charges may still be considered as the investigation continues.

Self-Defense When Facing a Vehicle as a Deadly Weapon

In cases where a vehicle is used as a weapon, it may legally constitute deadly force, allowing for defensive action. If someone attempts to run you over, the situation can be treated similarly to other life-threatening scenarios where deadly force is permissible to prevent serious injury or death. Staying aware of your surroundings and recognizing the use of a vehicle as a potential lethal threat are essential parts of defensive readiness and response.