Suspect arrested in connection with fatal shooting near downtown, SAPD says

SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio police said they arrested a man in connection with a fatal shooting near downtown in April.

Over a month ago, on April 16, just before 7 p.m., San Antonio police officers responded to a 911 call about a shooting near downtown at the intersection of Lamar and Austin streets.

When officers arrived, they said they found a victim with multiple apparent gunshot wounds. The 49-year-old male victim, identified in Bexar County records as Ernest Phillips Jr., was taken to a local hospital in critical condition.

Initially, investigators said the suspect and Phillips had an argument, after which Phillips attempted to flee from the suspect. After a brief chase, the suspect pulled out a gun and fired several shots at Phillips.

The suspect was able to flee the scene on foot, police said. Phillips was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

San Antonio police received credible information about a suspect in the case, according to an affidavit. The suspect was later identified by detectives, SAPD said.

About a week after investigators received the tip, a witness called police. The witness told officers that the suspect confessed to the fatal shooting on April 16, the affidavit states.

According to court documents, the witness also told police that the suspect shot Phillips in self-defense because Phillips was armed with a pipe.

Authorities said they saw the suspect at a gas station on Friday. SAPD officers arrested 36-year-old Jose Alejo with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals on a valid, unrelated warrant.

Investigators said there was sufficient probable cause to charge Alejo with the April 16 fatal shooting, so an additional arrest warrant was obtained in connection with the shooting.

Alejo was booked into the Bexar County Adult Detention Center on Friday afternoon. Alejo’s bail for both charges is $150,000, the county said.

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