One year later: Woman killed by SAPD during mental crisis

SAN ANTONIO — It’s been a year since Melissa Perez was shot and killed. Three San Antonio police officers are facing charges in connection with her death.

Her family said the 46-year-old suffered a schizophrenic episode on June 23, 2023. At around 2 a.m., the fire department received a call that Perez had been tampering with the fire alarm at her apartment complex.

The family claimed she had a schizophrenic attack and was convinced that the FBI was using the fire alarm system to spy on them.

At one point, investigators say, Perez barricaded herself in her apartment and threw a hammer at her window. Body camera video shows three former SAPD officers jumping onto her patio and shooting at her, hitting them twice.

“This time last year, I was at headquarters looking at the raw body camera footage,” said her daughter Alexis Tovar.

Tovar said she was disgusted when she realized what had happened to her mother. She said she has struggled with her mental health for the past three years. She said she would call police from time to time to check on their well-being. She never imagined that one day they would be accused of killing her mother.

“I have a daughter now, and having my daughter and hugging her makes me emotional because I wish I could hug my mom,” Tovar said.

The three now former police officers – 28-year-old Eleazar Alejandro, 27-year-old Nathaniel Villalobos and 45-year-old Sergeant Alfred Flores – were taken into custody on June 23, the same day they shot the 46-year-old.

Flores and Alejandro were eventually charged with murder. Villalobos was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Police Chief William McManus had previously said in a press conference after the 2023 shooting: “They put themselves in a situation where they used deadly force, which was not appropriate.”

Tovar was pleased with the SAPD and district attorney’s swift action last year, but said it does not take away the grief she has felt over the past year. She wants the three to receive maximum sentences.

Perez leaves behind four children, three young sons and Tovar.

“This is not right. It makes me angry and heartbreaking. I am in therapy every week, my brother is in therapy every week because of this trauma,” Tovar said.

The family took legal action of their own by filing a wrongful death lawsuit against the three former officers. But Tovar said she hopes this tragedy at least leads to real change in police when it comes to responding to calls about mental health issues.

“Every day is hard,” Tovar said. “I think my heart will wake up heavy for the rest of my life.”

Flores, Alejandro and Villalobos are free on bail. Their next hearing is on Thursday, June 27. They will be tried together.