Standoff in Stone Oak: 7 San Antonio Officers Wounded in Deadly Ambush

Shattered apartment windows and police tape marked the aftermath of a deadly standoff at a Stone Oak complex where a suspect opened fire on San Antonio police officers, injuring seven.

A Routine Call Turns into a Deadly Ambush

What started as a routine call for a suicide in progress quickly became one of the most harrowing nights in recent San Antonio memory. On the evening of January 22, 2025, San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) officers were dispatched to an apartment complex in the Stone Oak area on the city’s North Side after a family member called 911, reporting a man threatening to kill himself.

As the first officer arrived at the apartment around 8:30 p.m., the suspect opened the door and immediately shot him in the leg. As more officers responded to urgent radio calls, the assailant continued firing relentlessly, striking a total of seven officers in the initial chaos.

Neighbors described the scene as chaotic. One resident recalled hearing shots and seeing officers scrambling for cover. Another described the rapid gunfire and the eerie silence that followed each burst of bullets. Helicopter blades whirred overhead as officers took cover and called for backup, shattering the normally peaceful night with the flash of police lights and the crack of gunfire.

Hours-Long Standoff and a Deadly Conclusion

After ambushing the officers, the gunman barricaded himself inside his second-floor apartment, kicking off an hours-long standoff. SAPD Chief William McManus arrived on the scene as SWAT and crisis negotiators attempted to establish contact, urging the suspect to surrender peacefully. Tactical officers deployed gas canisters and drones in an effort to force the man out or gain visibility inside, but the suspect remained defiant, even shooting down multiple drones.

Throughout the tense night, gunfire sporadically echoed from the apartment, keeping neighbors on edge. Some residents were evacuated to safety, while others were ordered to shelter in place. One neighbor, living in an adjacent building, described hearing the protracted gun battle, which finally fell silent around 1:45 a.m.

In the predawn hours, tactical teams deployed flash-bangs and breached the apartment. Inside, they found the suspect deceased. Initially, it was unclear whether he had died from a self-inflicted gunshot or from police fire. A subsequent autopsy determined he had died of multiple gunshot wounds, confirming he was killed in the final exchange of fire.

Seven Officers Wounded — and Recovering

Despite the barrage of bullets, none of the seven wounded officers sustained life-threatening injuries. As the count of injured officers climbed, concerns mounted within the department and the community. By morning, relief set in when all officers were confirmed to be in stable condition.

The officers, each with between four and eight years of service, suffered gunshot wounds to their legs and upper bodies but were all expected to make full recoveries. By Thursday afternoon, six had already been released from the hospital. The seventh remained hospitalized for additional treatment but was also expected to recover fully. In line with standard protocol, Chief McManus placed all seven on administrative leave while the incident underwent investigation.

The SAPD Shooting Team and Internal Affairs launched concurrent investigations, and findings would be forwarded to the District Attorney’s office for independent review. Police union representatives emphasized the mental trauma officers faced alongside their physical injuries, underscoring the need for ongoing support.

Suspect Identified: A Veteran with a Violent Past

Authorities identified the deceased suspect as 46-year-old Brandon Scott Poulos, a Navy veteran and longtime San Antonio resident. Poulos had a history of violence and was no stranger to law enforcement.

Four days before the shootout, Poulos had been arrested after showing up intoxicated at a family residence and engaging in a violent altercation. He allegedly assaulted a family member, injured two elderly relatives, and crashed his vehicle while driving drunk. Multiple charges were filed, including assault, injury to the elderly, and a second-offense DWI.

Despite the severity of these charges, Poulos was released on bond the next day. As a condition of release, a judge ordered him not to possess any firearms and referred him to a veterans’ treatment court for a mental health evaluation. Yet, by January 22, Poulos was armed again, violating the protective order issued just days earlier.

That same day, he had already broken the conditions of his bond by contacting protected family members. A desperate 911 call was placed in an attempt to get him help—an attempt that tragically led to the violent ambush.

“Something Needs to Change”: Outrage and Official Backlash

The shooting sent shockwaves through the law enforcement community and sparked immediate calls for accountability. San Antonio Police Officers Association (SAPOA) President Danny Diaz condemned the handling of Poulos’ prior arrest, arguing that his release on a modest bond had enabled the violence.

To Diaz and many officers, the incident highlighted a major flaw in the system—one that allowed a repeat violent offender to be free and armed. He urged Bexar County officials to push for stricter bail policies, emphasizing that Poulos had received multiple chances despite his criminal history.

Local officials, including Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales, defended their handling of the case. Prosecutors had requested higher bonds, but a judge ultimately reduced two of them. Under Texas law, nearly all defendants are entitled to bail unless they meet very specific exceptions, and at the time of Poulos’ arrest, there was no legal basis to deny him bond.

Calls for Reform: Bail Debates Reach a Boiling Point

The incident has reignited a broader debate about bail reform and public safety in Texas. The Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas (CLEAT), the state’s largest police union, cited the shooting as proof that Texas must tighten its bail laws.

CLEAT has thrown its support behind proposed legislation that would make it easier for judges to deny bail to violent offenders. The proposed Texas Senate Bill 293 and Senate Joint Resolution 17 aim to reform the bail system by allowing judges to deny bail to high-risk defendants and holding magistrates accountable for setting inadequate bonds.

San Antonio’s seven wounded officers have become the latest example fueling demands for change, with law enforcement organizations urging lawmakers to take immediate action. If passed, the legislation could lead to significant changes in how repeat violent offenders are handled in the justice system.

Community Shock and Moving Forward

In Stone Oak, a neighborhood known for its quiet, suburban feel, the shock still lingers. Bullet holes and broken glass now scar the apartment complex, a grim reminder of the night that shattered the community’s peace.

Residents have since rallied around the injured officers, displaying blue ribbons and porch lights in support. Plans are underway for a community appreciation event to thank the first responders who put their lives on the line.

City leaders are reviewing protocols for responding to mental health crises and high-risk calls, acknowledging the growing challenge of balancing public safety with mental health interventions. The Bexar County District Attorney’s Office is under pressure to reevaluate how violent repeat offenders are handled, and the Texas Legislature will be closely watched in the coming months as bail reform debates continue.

For now, San Antonio is counting its blessings. Seven brave officers will bear the scars of that night, but all of them will return home to their families. The suspect who tried to take their lives will never threaten anyone again. The question now is whether this tragedy will spur meaningful change to prevent another night like January 22, 2025.