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San Antonio Police Officer Shot, Killed While Writing Traffic Ticket

By Angelica N. Sumter
Published on: 11:00 PST, Nov 20, 2016

A San Antonio police officer was shot and killed while writing a ticket during a traffic stop early Sunday morning just outside police headquarters, according to the ABC News.

During a “traffic stop on the south side of the city’s public safety building,” police officer Benjamin Marconi, 50, – who is a 20-year veteran – began writing a traffic ticket while sitting in his squad car when a black sedan, who officials believe to be a Nissan or a Toyota with chrome rims, pulled behind the officer’s car.

A man described as black, possibly around five-foot-seven to six feet in height, wearing a gray shirt and gray pants, stepped out of the vehicle and walked to the officer’s driver side window and opened fire, shooting the officer in the head.

It was reported that after the first shot, the suspect reached into the window and shot the officer a second time before fleeing the scene in his vehicle, which was captured on surveillance footage.

The officer was pronounced dead at the San Antonio Military Medical Center around 12:30 p.m. Sunday.

San Antonio police officers say the suspect is still at large and are unclear of the motive behind the deadly shooting but believe there may be a connection between the shooter and the vehicle Marconi had pulled over.

Marconi reportedly had two children from a previous marriage and was also a grandfather when he was gunned down while writing a traffic ticket, NBC News reports.

In a statement, San Antonio Mayor Ivy Taylor stated: “This type of crime cannot and will not be tolerated. I ask for the community’s thoughtfulness and patience as the investigation continues and San Antonio Police Department searches for the suspect.”

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott turned to Twitter to express his condolences to the slain officer’s family, where he wrote: “Cecilia and I extend our deepest condolences to the victim’s family and harshly condemn this horrific act of violence. We ask all Texans to join us in praying for the officer’s loved ones as they deal with the aftermath of this unimaginable tragedy.”

“Attacks against law enforcement officers will not be tolerated in Texas and must be met with swift justice, which is why I look forward to signing my Police Protection Act into law – making targeted attacks against law enforcement a hate crime.”

During a press conference, San Antonio Police Chief William McManus stated that “most families will be celebrating the holidays while SAPD will be burying one of its own because of an ultimate act of cowardice by a suspect who will be caught and brought to justice.”

“It’s always difficult, especially in this day and age, where police are being targeted across the country. It’s everyone’s worse nightmare. You never want to see anything like this happen.”

Many social media users were outraged after learning the officer was gunned down, stating that “this is just a shame for something to happen to someone who is out there everyday protecting us from crazy people,” wrote Clarence Harabis. “My prayers go out to his family and also to the entire police force. This has an effect on a lot of lives. God bless everyone.”

Police officials say this is a capital murder case and believe the “suspect to be extremely dangerous and a clear threat to law enforcement officers and the public.”

If you have information regarding the San Antonio shooting that may lead to the “identification and location of the suspect(s) responsible,” Crime Stoppers are willing to pay $10,000. You are urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 224-STOP.

An investigation into the shooting of a San Antonio police officer is underway.

[Featured Image By Ron Jenkins/Getty Images]

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