San Angelo Gunman Claims Self-Defense in Tuesday Night Shooting

SAN ANGELO – The suspect accused of shooting another man during a domestic dispute in San Angelo Tuesday evening has claimed self-defense after being arrested for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

According to police reports, San Angelo Police and medical services were dispatched to the 200 block of North Oxford Drive regarding a shooting victim about 7:30 p.m. Tuesday night. Officers arrived and located the witness and the defendant, identified as John Walton, near the front of the residence.

Walton allegedly told two different officers he shot the victim in self-defense. Officers located the gunshot victim, a 54-year-old male, with several wounds. First aid was provided, and the victim was transported to Shannon Medical Center where he underwent surgery for the wounds. A semi-automatic handgun was located by officers on the kitchen table.

Investigators spoke with a witness who said she was trying to intervene in a domestic disturbance involving her room mates, Walton, the victim, and the victim’s wife. According to this witness, the victim began yelling at her and her son.  Walton confronted the man and asked him to leave the residence.

The witness said this began an argument and the victim began assaulting Walton by punching him in the face. Walton then fired several rounds from his handgun in self-defense.

When investigators spoke to Walton, he said the gunshot victim began punching him in the face with a closed fist causing him to shoot the victim.

Investigators spoke with a detective who advised he had listened to the audio from the emergency call. Investigators reviewed this call and could hear several individuals in the audio, a verbal exchange between subjects, and then what appears to be multiple gunshots.

Walton’s handgun and five spent 9mm casings were located inside the residence and four bullet holes were located in a water heater closet door. Information from Public Information Officer Richard Espinosa indicated the victim had gunshot wounds to the upper and lower torso.

Walton was booked into the Tom Green County Detention Facility on September 13, 2022, for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and his bond has been set at $75,000.