Texas Rangers Positively Identify Shooter In April 18 Domestic Violence Incident
The Texas Rangers have positively identified Jose Alfredo Perez DeLaCruz as the person who shot and killed Officer Justin Putnam and wounded Officers Franco Stewart and Justin Mueller on Saturday evening, April 18.
DelaCruz open fired on officers during their response to a 911 call for assistance/domestic disturbance at Twin Lake Villas Apartments, 2917 Hunter Rd.
DeLaCruz was an undocumented immigrant from Mexico and had been in the United States since the late 1990s.
No additional criminal record has been located for the shooter and the case remains active. During the course of their response, DeLaCruz ambushed the officers with a rifle while wearing body armor and then killed himself with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
“We continue to extend our thanks and appreciation to the Texas Rangers for their diligent work on this case and to our neighboring law enforcement jurisdictions and the community for their support and assistance as our SMPD family recovers from this tremendous loss,” said Interim Police Chief Bob Klett.
Both Officer Stewart and Officer Mueller have been released from the hospital and rehab facilities and are recovering.
Funeral services for Officer Putnam have been postponed until after COVID restrictions are further lifted.
Tax-exempt donations for the wounded officers and for the family of fallen Officer Putnam may be submitted online at https://www.smcpaaa.org/donations-putnam-mueller-stewart.
Donations may also be mailed to:
San Marcos Police Dept.
2300 S. IH 35, San Marcos, TX 78666
ATTN: Tammy Strakos.
Please make checks payable to SMCPAAA.
“DeLaCruz was an undocumented immigrant from Mexico and had been in the United States since the late 1990s.”
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