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Crime

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)

Ceefour
Posted on December 18, 2012 at 7:12am
The DS got the job done and thats good but if an armed citizen did it…that would have been better.

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ares338
Posted on December 18, 2012 at 7:10am
You can bet that every gun incident will draw instant media attention in he hopes of furthering their anti gun agenda.

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cunningtom
Posted on December 18, 2012 at 7:07am
I’d like 2 shake Lisa’s hand! Bravo! IMHO, what makes me sad is that the perp is in hospital & not in a pine box.

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lock-n-load-in-pa
Posted on December 18, 2012 at 7:04am
This is one of the best legal arguments by a woman who was in a mass execution and survived. Please watch and pass on. She unloads the truth on her legislators, this is a must watch!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77_BzTO7X0E

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thesnitch
Posted on December 18, 2012 at 6:55am
This seems to be a conspiricy. just before all this happened. Hillary was supposed to stestify in congress over the begazi scandal. She fainted, and suffered a cuncussion. BUT never went to the hospital. suddenly this happens .and now Poof. bengazi all gone.

to ensure it. now there are threats of more attacks. and then this to ensure that the focus stays off Obama. o.0 how long till we all take up arms and push back?

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- kickagrandma
  Posted on December 18, 2012 at 7:00am
  Nice detective work, SNITCH! Think you are on to something.
  
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Pacman116
Posted on December 18, 2012 at 6:52am
Probably never got disciplined as a child like he should have been.

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pitboss711
Posted on December 18, 2012 at 6:46am
On December 14, 2012, 20 defenseless children and 6 defenseless adults were killed in Sandy Hook School, because 1 crazed man had guns.

Between 1941 and 1945, 1 million defenseless children and 5 million defenseless adults were killed in Germany, because 1 crazed man took away their guns.

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blackfeather
Posted on December 18, 2012 at 6:43am
excellent shot…well done…now what will they do…fire the sherriff??

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JTX
Posted on December 18, 2012 at 5:54am
And, we didn’t need a GUN BAN to fix it.

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savagenatn
Posted on December 18, 2012 at 5:53am
investigate the sheriff’s deputy for racism and excessive force, mr. holder

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Red Barr 13
Posted on December 18, 2012 at 4:55am
This news article will not be found in the NEWS media, and that is why we have thugs trying to take over a move theater or a school. In my opinion there should be an “off duty” police officer stationed in a theater for one reason. It also my opinion the schools should hire teachers that are trained to either wound or kill trouble makers bringing in a gun or guns without permission.

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Red Barr 13
Posted on December 18, 2012 at 4:52am
This news article will not be found in the NEWS media, and that is why we have thugs trying to take over a move theater or a school. In my opinion there should be an “off duty” police officer stationed in a theater for one reason. It also my opinion the should hire teachers that are trained to either wound or kill trouble makers bringing in a gun or guns without permission.

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NOTMOHAMMED
Posted on December 18, 2012 at 4:48am
With the recent rash of mass shootings and attempts, I can’t help but wonder if someone is putting these freaks up to it, with the promise of financial gain for their surviving family members, like Hamas and Hezbollah do. Sane people don’t give their lives up and take the lives of innocents for nothing, you know.

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pnwnative
Posted on December 18, 2012 at 4:35am
Legal or illegal?

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- savagenatn
  Posted on December 18, 2012 at 5:55am
  you kidding me? We will never know. Our “media” could find out how many craps he takes per day, but they wouldn’t dare attempt to find out his status
  
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ScarletRose
Posted on December 18, 2012 at 3:46am
THANK THE GOOD LORD there was someone well-trained and armed on hand, and in THIS PARTICULAR CASE since the guy’s stupid macho ego over a broken relationship was his EXCUSE – NOT THE CAUSE – but HIS EXCUSE – Thank God the RESPONSE THIS TIME was a WOMAN – which forever strips the PERP of any ability to have any self respect left over the manner in which he was brought down. NOTHING to cover his “dignity” with, for the rest of his life. Thank You, Lord in Heaven.

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The_Pointy_End
Posted on December 18, 2012 at 2:26am
Title to story is incorrect – no attempt – he did randomly fire his gun into the crowd hitting one man in the chest. What he attempted and failed at was shooting/killing several people, not firing his gun on the crowd.

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AbrahamsSheepdog
Posted on December 18, 2012 at 2:25am
And glocks Never jam. Twice, you talking crazy **** man. Wow. Don’t make sense. Bushmaster yes, but a glock, huh.

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LeadNotFollow
Posted on December 18, 2012 at 2:09am
Sgt. Lisa Castellano, job well done.

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- ScarletRose
  Posted on December 18, 2012 at 3:48am
  AMEN! Thank you, Lisa! GREAT JOB!
  
  God bless and keep you, Lady.
  
  Psalm 91 cover for you and your family and loved ones!
  
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greenroughneck
Posted on December 18, 2012 at 2:01am
this woman demonstrated the ONLY gun control that will EVER succeed!

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AmericaMustBeFree
Posted on December 18, 2012 at 1:56am
The world is going mad… but because this off duty police officer had his/her weapon they stopped a tragedy.. now just imagine, if those teachers had had the same empowerment.. maybe all those childrenand adults wouldn’t have died!

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spfoam1
Posted on December 18, 2012 at 1:48am
This is proof that a woman with a gun can defend other people who don’t have guns. Now, I wonder where in CT a woman could have used a gun to protect a lot of innocent lives?

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SGT Rock
Posted on December 18, 2012 at 1:34am
That officer is a hero. I know that area well when I use to be stationed in San Antonio.

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Excomunicatedmarine
Posted on December 18, 2012 at 1:25am
Sure wish that deputy had been at Sandy Hook. I say again, we need armed security at the schools period. Can you imagine how many people this love sick might have shot? Don’t like the idea any more than the next guy, but if it helps your sensitivities, think of it as practice against terrorism al la Beslan.

Our big bad boys have armed security all over the Capitol, why not the kids, the security can coceal carry and still be very effective. Any other plan expands response time, seconds mean lives. The Conn shooter killed how many before the cops arrived…….as compared to this new one stopped cold because an armed trained deputy was right there . It is a no-brainer.

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OBAMA IS A FOUL EVIL TRAITOR
Posted on December 18, 2012 at 1:25am
Jesus Manuel Garcia??? Either he or his parents (or both) are ILLEGAL ALIENS, I would bet money on it.

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- Diane TX
  Posted on December 18, 2012 at 1:57am
  Yep. Also, both he and his girlfriend work in a Chinese restaurant in south-west Texas.
  
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freelancer91
Posted on December 18, 2012 at 1:11am
More stories like this please. Let people know that CCW do save lives when they are employed. Also, pray for the man that was shot. I hope he pulls through so that he can tell this story to all his friends. I honestly couldn’t care less if the gunman lives. Frankly, betraying the trust that the 2nd amendment places on you makes your life forfeit in my opinion.

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