A person allegedly driving a stolen vehicle has died and their passenger was transported to the hospital in critical condition after being chased and crashing into a downtown San Antonio building and bursting into flames on Thursday.
As of 6 p.m., the scene remains active and several downtown streets between North Laredo and Dolorosa are closed, including Soledad, Main and Flores streets. Officials say to avoid the downtown area if possible.
San Antonio Police Department officers followed a blue Kia sedan that had been reported stolen Thursday afternoon into downtown San Antonio.
Police officers attempted to stop the vehicle on Flores Street between Houston and Commerce streets, then deployed spike strips. Officers then boxed the stolen vehicle in at Commerce and Flores streets.
The driver allegedly failed to comply with the officer’s commands, said Assistant Chief Robert Blanton and allegedly struck patrol vehicles and drove toward the officers.
The officers discharged their firearms at the vehicle. Videos shared on social media and reported by KSAT show multiple rounds of gunfire from police.
After the shooting, the vehicle continued down Commerce Street, struck a building and caught on fire. There was no major structural damage to the building, Blanton said.
Blanton said SAPD has no confirmed age for the suspects, but said they “looked younger.”
