Texas Officer Fires 15 Shots in Jaywalking Pursuit, Police Claim Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wound Caused Death
A Texas police officer fired 15 shots at a man during a chaotic and intense pursuit sparked by an alleged jaywalking violation and subsequent running from the police, with the entire incident captured on body camera footage that has since been released. Police later claimed the man died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, raising questions about the confrontation’s final moments.
The incident occurred on Dec. 3 when Officer James Lopez of the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) confronted 33-year-old Jeffrey Schopp for jaywalking. Jaywalking, a Class C misdemeanor in Texas, carries a maximum penalty of a $200 fine, according to the Daily Mail.
Lopez noticed Schopp crossing Loop 410 and Jones Maltsberger Road outside of a designated crosswalk.
Body camera footage reveals Lopez parking his patrol car and approaching Schopp, who was carrying a backpack. Initially calm, the encounter escalated quickly.
Lopez instructed Schopp to walk toward him, to which Schopp replied, “Am I under arrest?”
Lopez clarified that he was being detained for crossing the street improperly. Schopp apologized, explaining that he was trying to reach the hospital for an arm injury.
The apology appeared to irritate Lopez, whose tone became harsher.
“I ain’t looking for an apology,” Lopez said, per the outlet. “Come over here right now before I put you in handcuffs.”
When Schopp continued to apologize, Lopez retorted, “I ain’t listening to that sh*t. Come here. Come over here now.”
Schopp then dropped his backpack and fled, prompting Lopez to pursue him on foot. Two additional officers joined the chase as it unfolded across a parking garage, over a fence, and into a drainage ditch.
As officers closed in, Lopez yelled, “Get the f*ck on the ground” and warned that he would use a Taser. Schopp continued to flee, running under a bridge where he reportedly pulled out a firearm.
At that moment, Lopez fired 12 rounds, shouting, “He has a f*cking gun!”
Schopp reappeared on the opposite side of the bridge, prompting Lopez to reload his weapon and fire three additional rounds. Schopp fell to the ground as officers approached.
Officers reportedly administered life-saving measures to Schopp until medics arrived, but he was pronounced dead at the scene, according to KENS 5.
The SAPD initially stated that Schopp died from gunshot wounds inflicted by Lopez. However, a subsequent investigation determined that Schopp had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. A .22-caliber handgun was recovered at the scene.
Officer Lopez, a four-year veteran of the police force, has been placed on paid administrative leave as the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office conducts an independent investigation into the shooting.
In a statement, the SAPD defended Lopez’s actions, citing concerns for the safety of other officers at the scene. However, questions persist regarding the timeline of events, particularly as body camera footage shows Lopez reloading and firing multiple times.
An autopsy report, which is expected to clarify the exact cause of Schopp’s death, is anticipated within six weeks, given that is the usual timeline for the district attorney’s office. The findings could play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the investigation.
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Smells very fishy to me…a guy dies for jaywalking…nah…police just on a testosterone filled power trip. That’s not “keeping the peace” that is creating chaos and k1lling someon for no reason.