Seven Texas Police Officers Wounded While Responding to Urgent Suicide Call

On January 23, 2025, seven police officers were injured in a shooting while responding to a call regarding a “suicide in progress” in San Antonio, Texas. The suspect, identified as 46-year-old Brandon Scott Poulos, was later found dead after barricading himself inside an apartment for several hours.

The incident began shortly before 8:30 p.m. when officers arrived at the scene following reports of shots being fired. A woman exited the apartment and informed the police that Poulos was shooting inside and would come out. When he emerged from the residence, he opened fire on the officers, injuring one officer in the leg who required hospitalization.

As more teams of officers approached, Poulos returned to the apartment and continued firing at them. In total, seven officers sustained injuries; however, none of these injuries were considered life-threatening. The injured officers have served with the department for four to eight years and are expected to recover fully.

During the standoff that followed, SWAT team members attempted negotiations with Poulos for several hours while nearby apartments were evacuated for safety reasons. Chief William McManus reported that it remains unclear whether Poulos died from self-inflicted wounds or if he was shot by SWAT officers during this time.

This tragic event highlights ongoing concerns regarding mental health crises and their potential escalation into violence. Authorities encourage anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts to seek help through resources such as the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

The shooting incident underscores significant risks faced by law enforcement when responding to mental health emergencies. As investigations continue into both the events leading up to this tragedy and its aftermath, community discussions about mental health resources and police training are likely to intensify.