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Man Attempts to Open Fire on Crowd at Movie Theater, Armed Off-Duty Sergeant Drops Him (UPDATED)

Dec. 17, 2012 10:28pm Jason Howerton

Off Duty Sheriffs Deputy Shoots Man Attempting to Open Fire on Crowd at San Antonia Movie Theater

San Antonio Police stand guard near the Mayan 14 Theatres after an incident Sunday night, Dec. 16, 2012. Photo: JOHN DAVENPORT, San Antonio Express-News / San Antonio Express-News

Update: WOAI now reports it was an off-duty sergeant who fired a total of four shots, wounding the shooter. An Initial report by 1200 WOAI news said that an off-duty sheriff’s deputy shot the suspect one time.

The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office says the off-duty sergeant, who was working security, heard the gunshots and came running. She saw the gunman coming out of the men’s restroom. The Sheriff’s Office says the gunman did not shoot at her, but his gun was drawn so she opened fire.

That off-duty sergeant, identified as Lisa Castellano, fired four times, wounding the gunman. Only one other person was wounded, a 49-year-old man inside the theater, who was hit by one of the gunman’s shots. Both are expected to recover.

Investigators say about 30 rounds were fired. It’s unclear why the break-up with his girlfriend caused the man to go after his co-workers. Investigators haven’t ruled out a love-triangle involving someone else at the restaurant.

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With one shot, an off-duty sergeant took down a gunman who attempted to opened fire at a crowded movie theater lobby during a late night showing of “The Hobbit” in San Antonio, 1200 WOAI news reports.

Police say a gunman, identified as Jesus Manuel Garcia, chased patrons from the nearby China Garden Restaurant into the lobby of the Santikos Mayan 14 movie theater at around 9 p.m. on Sunday. Garcia, an employee of the restaurant, reportedly walked in the establishment looking for a woman.

When the woman, also reportedly a restaurant employee, wasn’t there, Garcia pulled out a gun and attempted to open fire in the restaurant but his weapon jammed.

“It started at the restaurant and then went into the parking lot and then into the movie theater,” Deputy Lou Antu told 1200 WOAI news.

The commotion sent horrified restaurant patrons into the movie theater lobby, but the gunman followed. He again attempted to open fire, and this time his gun didn’t jam. Garcia reportedly shot one man in the chest before Antu says an off-duty sheriff’s sergeant working security the theater shot him once, dropping him to the floor.

Bexar County sheriff’s Sgt. Lisa Castellano reportedly chased the gunman toward the back of the theater. The 13-year department veteran cornered him after he ran into a men’s restroom and shot him before taking his gun.

“The officer involved, she took the appropriate action to try to keep everyone safe in the movie theater,” Antu added.

Due to the off-duty sergeant’s bravery, the gunman was not able to make it into the theater where he could have potentially taken many lives.

Police question a man near the Mayan Theater after an incident late Sunday, Dec., 16, 2012. Photo: JOHN DAVENPORT, San Antonio Express-News / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

Police question a man near the Mayan Theater after an incident late Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012. Photo: JOHN DAVENPORT, San Antonio Express-News / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS (Photo cannot be sold to the public)

The gunman and the man he shot were hospitalized, according to WOAI.

Police say a recent breakup set off the man’s shooting spree on Sunday, MySanAntonio.com reports.

Jesus Manuel Garcia, 19, an employee at a China Garden restaurant next to the Santikos Mayan Palace 14 theater, apparently became upset Sunday night after his girlfriend broke up with him.

He lashed out by sending her a message saying he planned to go to the restaurant and “shoot somebody,” said Bexar County sheriff’s Sgt. Raymond Pollard.

Pollard said the woman called to warn restaurant employees, but by the time she saw his message, Garcia was already outside the China Garden firing a Glock 23 at the front door about 9:25 p.m.

If Garcia survives his attempt at mass murder, officials say he will likely face a charge of attempted capital murder as he allegedly shot at the San Antonia police car on Southwest Military Drive as he ran from the restaurant and into the theater.

(H/T: Weasel Zippers)

This story has been updated

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Comments (376)

sizzler2220
Posted on December 18, 2012 at 1:10am
All these shooting are not accidents! Obama administration zealots, are making their play. Wise up folks!

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environmentalandawake
Posted on December 18, 2012 at 12:55am
98.9999995% of the time I agree with S.E.; however not this time. She says that we need to have the mental illness discussion. It would have done no good in the case of the Sandy Point incident. THE SHOOTERS MOM OWNED the GUNS, and was perfectly fit to do so. The President (Lying as usual) gave his heart felt speach on “From the moment our children are born, blah, blah, blah…….” If he truley felt they are our most precious gifts, then he would empower the TEACHERS at the point of attack, with training and firearms. These idiots never go where they believe someone may be armed….NEVER!!!!
Give this wikipedia article a read. Notice that Switzerland bit at the end of the homicide portion. They have a law where there is a gun in EVERY HOME!!! Subsequently they have the lowest gun deaths as well.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_violence_in_the_United_States

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Si_Vis_Pacem_Para_Bellum
Posted on December 18, 2012 at 12:51am
As A Proud Texan And Service Member Stationed Just A Few Miles From This Incident I Can Tell You There Was Most Assuredly A Few Good Ol Boys Who Would Have Shot This Guy Had The Sheriff Deputy Not Beat Them To It. Ya Dont Mess With Texans. Kid Must Not Have Got The Memo. Take Note America… Guns Were Used And Nobody Died! Guns Save Lives. Americans Know This. That’s Why Gun Sales Skyrocket After A Tragedy. Hats Off To The Deputy!

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whater39
Posted on December 18, 2012 at 12:46am
So this means the end to the problem with guns then???

Or this means that everyone should be armed??

Or this is the 1% where another armed person helped.

Lets think of the reasons why there is 10K+ dead Yanks a year. Guns… ya still a problem. Zimmerman much?

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Beachmastermax
Posted on December 18, 2012 at 12:45am
If this would have happenned in a BBQ joint or a catfish barn in TX, it never would have made it out of the resturaunt and into the theater.

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aproudinfidel
Posted on December 18, 2012 at 12:31am
How cool is that? Thank you from America.

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Chancellor
Posted on December 18, 2012 at 12:12am
Hey Senators, Congressman pay attention! Gun Free Zones get people killed……

One well trained person with a gun used as a tool saves lives……But we all know

about your “Control Agenda” The Third Reich would be so proud!

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cows4me
Posted on December 18, 2012 at 12:08am
No doubt the actions of this brave woman will not be welcomed by the left or those that want a compliant citizenry, it doesn’t suit the agenda. In the vast majority of mass shootings the perpetrators were taking various forms of prescription drugs, usually drugs prescribed for depression. Perhaps those calling for gun control should first look at what drugs the shooters were on at the time. I’m willing to bet that drugs are a major factor in mass shootings. But of course drugs these will not come under the spotlight, it’s much better to cry disarmament, it’s the only solution those in power seek.

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Mr.buff1959
Posted on December 18, 2012 at 12:03am
Where ever i am is not a gun free zone.

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superchaos
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 11:59pm
Title should be changed to “Gun stops movie theater massacre in gun loving Texas”

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Elena2010
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 11:56pm
Bet the gun laws prohibiting a 19 yr old fm purchasing a handgun worked. Bet he stole it fm someone else.

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rhumbaterro
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 11:56pm
Has anyone read that the Oregon Clakamas Town Square shooter, stopped,ran off and ended his life after a 22 year old civilian approached him with a weapon, the media is intentionally leaving out a major information explaining why there was not more loss of life….tell your friends, also Aurora could have been stopped, the shooter did not wear a body armor vest, it was a hunting vest with lots of AMMO pockets, these programed guys are not supposed to live to tell their story, or where and whom they spent the last few days, weeks, internet programing sights.

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- Diane TX
  Posted on December 18, 2012 at 12:27am
  I’ve read the story. The good guy with the cc didn’t take the shot because there was an innocent bystander behind the target.
  
  Here’s the link to that story:
  
  http://easybakegunclub.com/news/1943/Clackamas-Mall-Shooter-Was-Confonted-By-Concealed-.html
  
  Report this comment
Parnell3rd
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 11:54pm
This story of a man saving lives with a gun will not be national news. It will be ignored by the mainstream media!

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WINNEBAGOMAN
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 11:47pm
Tell me again why you (the left) want to take guns away from everyone?

A firearm in the hands of the right people, stop violence from happening.

God bless those cops in Texas!

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savagenatn
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 11:46pm
cop was clearly racist, shooting the stupid a$$ sp ck

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RaydocX
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 11:41pm
Let’s see, MSM has to bury this, as it is contrary to the reality they want the sheeple to buy in to.
Here a gun is used to protect innocents… Should this gun be banned, mr Costas? Encinut? Brama?

Along with the real stats about the number of mass shootings, and those about gun deaths where guns are banned, you wont hear anyone outside of Texas mentioning this.

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JUSTANOTHEROPINION
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 11:41pm
Sounds like a case on the side of Concealed Carry licenses and the need for the repeal of “Free Kill Zone” laws also referred to in some circles as “Gun Free Zone” laws. If the off duty Sheriff had not have been their it sure would have been beneficial to have a licensed citizen with a weapon there. Would you not agree?

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FaithfulFriend
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 11:29pm
Those nutty Mayan’s and their calendars, and their movie theaters.

Looks like some good people will get to enjoy Dec. 22nd and beyond for many years to come.

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SIXFRIGATES
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 11:27pm
the MAYAN 14…. just sayin’.

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- MisterSarcastic
  Posted on December 18, 2012 at 1:05am
  …ummmm…
  
  Report this comment
neverending
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 11:25pm
Great story and want to read more like this to start putting these worthless punks in their place. Just too bad he wasn’t taken out totally. We are living in some really sick and dangerous times.

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Guitarcarl
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 11:22pm
Why can’t we all protect ourselves!? I want to protect myself and my family there are evil people out there, you liberals are killing us with gun control.

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Lawyer629
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 11:17pm
This guy should not have been allowed to have a gun.

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- Guitarcarl
  Posted on December 17, 2012 at 11:28pm
  Wrong! Everyone in every theater should have been allowed to have a gun. And every law abiding adult in every school, bank and public place in this country then there would never be another mass shooting in this country again.
  
  Report this comment
- Diane TX
  Posted on December 17, 2012 at 11:29pm
  @ Lawyer629
  
  The guy’s only nineteen years old. Of course he shouldn’t have a gun. This is the main reason WHY gun bans and gun free zones don’t work. The criminals and crazies don’t obey the Law!
  
  Report this comment
Guitarcarl
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 11:16pm
Taking responsibility for your own protection works almost every time it’s tried. Too bad only off duty police officers are allowed to do that. The only people more guilty of the mass killings of late than the people taking guns out of law abiding hands are the people pulling the triggers. Gun control equals murder of the unprotected.

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Obamujahadeen
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 11:15pm
Beauty. Nice work. Now if only every American were to receive handgun training they to could stop these crimes in their tracks with such effectiveness. I know I’ve trained for that moment as a gun owner all my adult life and when or if God forbid it arrives I’m ready, I believe.

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AnAmerican111
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 11:14pm
Great job protecting all the people by the officer. He is a hero!

The sad part is the shooter moron Garcia is still alive!
Quick little double tap by the officer would have eliminated more garbage off the street!

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- Mr.buff1959
  Posted on December 18, 2012 at 12:00am
  Amen.
  
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- flipper1073
  Posted on December 18, 2012 at 6:58am
  He’s a She (Lisa Castellano) make the story even better.
  
  Report this comment

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