San Angelo, TX — (SAPD Press Release) A San Angelo Police Patrol Officer that was injured during a foot chase Sunday afternoon is
praising the civilians who rushed to his aid.
Officers were dispatched to the area of Sherwood Way and Southwest around 12:45
yesterday for several reports of a man pointing a firearm at passing vehicles.
An Officer located the suspect near Tinsel Town and attempted to make contact; however,
the man fled through the parking lot and a nearby field.
Several nearby civilians who observed the chase responded to aid the officer, who
subsequently sustained several cracked ribs and a bruised lung while apprehending the
suspect. The Officer credits the Good Samaritans for handcuffing the suspect while he was
momentarily incapacitated.
The suspect, identified as Gilbert Lee Barrientos, 29, was arrested for Evading Arrest
Detention with Previous Convictions and transported to the Tom Green County Jail. Police
located and seized a BB-/Pellet gun nearby.
The 36-year- old 9-year veteran Officer was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment
and later released. The Officer would like to personally thank each of the civilians for their
assistance and noted we [SAPD] are extremely blessed to serve in a community that
supports law enforcement.
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Comments
Wow, I was around that area not far from that time-frame and I'm glad I didn't see this character...
I'm surprised this clown didn't get himself shot long before police arrived, with laws like the Texas Motorist Protection Act, any person who saw this guy point a gun at them could have shot him and been justified in doing so.
Crazy people out there... I hope and pray that they don't come across my path, I would hate to have to go through the hassle of shooting someone and having to answer for what I did but that is also why I have a dash cam. I would rather prove why I had to, than to allow some far flung individual to hurt somebody.
I've been in some sketchy scenarios when I ran the paper route and was prepared to do the deed as a last resort, but thankfully, all of my other skills kept me from putting myself in a stupid situation where I had no other option.
It's scary really because you don't know if the threat is actually going to lead to action... Honestly, any reputable carry course would inform you that, in a situation like that, you should assume that the threat is full on real and you legally can, and should, take action to stop the threat.
It's good to see that cooler heads prevailed... Or nobody that he pointed his airgun at was armed. Glad the officer got help... There are some good folks out here in San Angelo, even if I disagree with many folks, I couldn't allow somebody to threaten or hurt ya'll and turn a blind eye either.
Good job samaritans! Hope the officer heals up okay.
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Permalinkthese local cops are pretty well disciplined. I would figure in places like Detroit they would have shot him first. There have been several cases where the local cops seemed quite restrained in dealing with potentially violent idiots - where in other parts of the country they would have taken the shot. Maybe this cop pushed it a little too far and got himself hurt. Maybe he should just popped him one.
Hope these local cops don’t take a chance or hesitate when the days comes. Go home alive cop people.
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PermalinkOur boys are pretty well disciplined... I like to think most of our carriers are as well... It should always be a last resort and only enough to stop the threat.
It's hard to face these situations and keep cool... Good men and women on the force here and in society.
Taking a life is the last thing I believe most Officers and citizens have on their agenda and it's sad when it happens, but we save the live's of innocent's when a threat gets neutralized.
Verbal Judo has served me well in many situations, also just paying attention to surroundings and going out of my way to avoid sketchy folks.
First thing they teach in almost any self defense courses is to avoid conflict at all costs until the fight gets brought to you... But whooo buddy, does it sting when the dummies pick the wrong one.
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