Not subscribed to local news but still want to stay up-to-date on the happenings around town? Look no further. Highlighting notable stories from external San Antonio news sources, State of the City summarizes the most captivating news headlines of the week. This week’s topic ranges from a fatal police chase to the protesting of Elon Musk’s involvement in politics.
Police chase ends in one death and one in critical condition
Many witnesses recall a police chase on Thursday, Feb. 6, in downtown San Antonio near North Flores St and Commerce St. The incident started as a routine traffic stop that escalated when police ran the plate to discover the vehicle was stolen. Officers surrounded the suspects, but the driver refused to stop. The stolen car reversed, striking patrol cars and another vehicle. When the officers attempted to apprehend the suspects, the vehicle was driven in their direction, leading the officers to open fire. In response, the officers started shooting the vehicle. After the shooting, the car drove one block before crashing into a building and catching on fire. Police were able to remove the suspects from the vehicle before it caught fire. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene; medics transported the passenger to the hospital in critical condition.
Downtown protests against Elon Musk
Starting in Travis Park and moving to Texas Senator John Cornyn’s Office on Navarro St, Bexar County Democrats organized a protest on Feb. 6 to oppose Elon Musk’s recent involvement in government. The protests were said to hold Senator Cornyn accountable for failing to protect U.S. institutions from corporate overreach, as it was his constitutional duty.
“Elon Musk has no business in the treasury payment system,” organizer Michelle Solis said. “He has no business sending emails threatening every federal worker, has no business doing Medicare, Medicaid, closing down U.S. AID, you name it.”
Just after his inauguration, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to create the Department of Government Efficiency and placed Elon Musk in charge. The protesters came close to Senator Cornyn’s office, but staff told them no one was there. Cornyn hasn’t made a statement about the protest on Feb. 6. However, in response to similar protests in the past, Cornyn voiced his support for the decisions of Trump and Musk.
Man sentenced after kidnapping San Antonio girl at gunpoint
Steven Robert Sablan was sentenced to 35 years in federal prison for kidnapping a 13-year-old girl at gunpoint in San Antonio in July 2023. The court came to its decision on Sunday, Feb. 9th after Sablan admitted to driving the victim to California where he threatened her with a gun and sexually assaulted her multiple times throughout the ride. The girl was rescued in Long Beach, California on July 9, 2023, when a passerby noticed her holding up a sign that read “Help Me” in the window of Sablan’s Nissan Sentra. Along with 35 years in federal prison, United States District Judge Fernando L. Aenlle-Rocha ordered Sablan to pay $1,158 in restitution.
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