Man confronts truck thieves, killing one in self-defense shootout

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (WOAI) — A man tracked down two truck thieves Thursday and killed one during a shootout, according to the San Antonio Police Department.

Police said the call came in just before 1 p.m. at the South Park Village shopping center.

The man told police his Ford truck was stolen and decided to take justice into his own hands. The owner was able to find his truck in the South Park Village parking lot and saw a man and a woman sitting inside the vehicle.

He continued to approach the couple at gunpoint and demand they get out of the car, according to a report. The owner then called authorities while the male suspect sat next to the tire. That’s when that suspect brandished his weapon and shot the owner.

The owner returned fire killing the male suspect and critically injuring the woman, officers said. When police arrived, the owner and the woman were taken to the hospital.

The owner of the car is in stable condition and police said they believe this was all a result of self-defense regarding his property.

Police Chief William McManus shared that the owner had every right to search for his truck, but does advise him to call authorities before taking matters into his own hands.

“He was trying to recover his property,” Chief McManus said. “I guess it depends on who you ask if he did the right thing or not.”