Body-cam footage, 911 audio of officer-involved shooting at Family Dollar released
The San Antonio Police released 911 call audio and body-worn camera footage showing a June 3 officer-involved shooting at a West Side Family Dollar store.
18-year-old Kolton Chavez was killed by police at a Family Dollar in the 2300 block of Castroville after he charged at officers with a knife, police said.
Officers responded to the scene after they received two 911 calls from an unknown person saying there was a man standing outside a Family Dollar that threatened them with a gun and a long knife.
When officers arrived, they identified Chavez as the person the 911 caller described. Police said Chavez dropped a backpack on the ground before pulling out a large knife from his waistband and turning it toward officers.
Police said they later determined that Chavez was the person that made the two 911 calls and was describing himself.
The audio and footage was uploaded to YouTube in both narrated and raw versions in compliance with a policy that requires the San Antonio Police Department to make its “critical incident videos” public within 60 days or provide an explanation as to why not.
The video is introduced by SAPD Public Affair Manager Mariah Medina and is narrated by Lt. Michelle Ramos.
The video begins with the audio from the first 911 call at 12 a.m. Chavez is heard describing to the 911 operator the man he said was standing outside the Family Dollar store.
“He’s Hispanic, he has like a windbreaker and camo pants. He’s right out there. He’s screaming, he’s drinking, and he’s got a big knife,” Chavez said.
Chavez later says the knife is on the man’s hip and that he pointed a gun at him.
The video then moves on to the second 911 call from Chavez at 12:09 a.m. He tells the operator that he called earlier and that the man is still outside the Family Dollar. The operator asks if he wants to speak with officers and he says, “No, I do not. He has a really big knife though”.
Ramos said officers arrived on the scene shortly after the second 911 call disconnected.
The video moves on to body-worn camera footage of an officer pulling up to the Family Dollar. Officers immediately locate Chavez at the front of the store and begin shouting commands at him.
Chavez can be seen dropping his backpack and retrieving a knife from his waistband. He then begins to walk toward officers with the knife despite being repeatedly asked to drop his weapon.
At one point, Chavez charges toward three officers, prompting them to discharge their weapons on Chavez. The video blurs out Chavez’s body.
Another second view from body-worn camera footage shows the same incident occur.
Chavez was taken to University Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Ramos said police did not locate a firearm.
The shooting remains under investigation, Medina said.
