SAN ANTONIO, TX – Early this morning, a 22-year-old man was killed by federal agents during a raid at an apartment complex on Northeast Loop 410. The operation, which took place around 6 a.m. at the Merida Apartments near Starcrest, has left the community in shock and demanding answers.
The man’s roommate described the scene as chaotic and terrifying. “We thought it was a robbery,” he said, recounting how loud banging and shouting woke them up. Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) had stormed the apartment, creating a scene of confusion and fear.
The roommate explained that the man’s father and aunt were asleep in the living room when the agents broke down the door. “We didn’t know who was at the door. We heard ‘police,’ and then shots were fired,” he said, still visibly shaken. The 22-year-old was hit by three bullets and died instantly.
After the shooting, the roommate was ordered to step over his friend’s body as agents took him into custody. “I was cooperating, but I was scared they might shoot me too,” he said. He believes his friend, who had a criminal record, would have surrendered if given the chance. “He wasn’t afraid of doing time. He would have complied,” he added.
Authorities have not yet provided details about the arrest warrant or the reasons for the raid. The medical examiner’s office has also withheld the identity of the deceased, pending notification of his family.
As the investigation unfolds, the community is left grappling with the tragic events. Residents are calling for transparency and accountability from the law enforcement agencies involved, hoping to understand why such a deadly outcome occurred.