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

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Police Department says it has arrested a man in connection with a deadly shooting in April near downtown.

More than a month ago, shortly before 7 p.m. on April 16, San Antonio police officers responded to a call of a shooting near downtown at the intersection of Lamar Street and Austin Street.

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

Initially, investigators said the suspect and Phillips got into an altercation that led Phillips to attempt to run away from the suspect. After a short chase, the suspect brandished a gun and shot Phillips several times.

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

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

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

The witness also told police the suspect shot Phillips in self-defense because Phillips was armed with a pipe, according to court records.

Authorities said they saw the suspect at a gas station Friday. SAPD agents, with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals, arrested José Alejo, 36, on an active, unrelated arrest warrant.

Detectives said they had probable cause to charge Alejo in the April 16 fatal shooting. An additional arrest warrant was therefore obtained regarding the shooting.

Alejo was booked into the Bexar County Adult Detention Center Friday afternoon. The two charges bring Alejo's total bond to $150,000, the county said.

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