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Police Chief of Small Texas Town Fatally Shot During Traffic Stop
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Police Chief of Small Texas Town Fatally Shot During Traffic Stop

The shooter has an outstanding graffiti warrant but officials couldn't confirm if that motivated the shooting.

The police chief of a small Texas town outside San Antonio died Saturday after he was shot during a traffic stop.

Image source: Michael Pimentel (Image source: GoHeroes.us)

A witness told KENS-TV in San Antonio she saw Michael Pimentel, chief of the Elmendorf police force, shot three times by a man during an altercation. Pimentel suffered gunshot wounds to his stomach and shoulder during the confrontation, KSAT-TV reported.

The officer, who was in his 60s, was taken to a hospital, KENS said; Bexar County Sheriff Susan Pamerleau confirmed that Pimentel died as a result of his wounds, the station added.

Deputies arrested Joshua Manuel Lopez, 24, at the scene, KENS reported, citing sheriffs.

The shooter will be charged with capital murder of a police officer, KENS noted, citing officials said. Lopez has an outstanding graffiti warrant, Pamerleau told the station; she couldn't confirm if that motivated the shooting, KENS added, but Lopez has only been booked on the graffiti charge.

The witness KENS interviewed told the station the suspect is a neighbor and has a history of mental illness.

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Dave Urbanski

Dave Urbanski

Sr. Editor, News

Dave Urbanski is a senior editor for Blaze News.
@DaveVUrbanski →