Indian American man shot dead after trying to hit officer with car

The officer was trying to arrest Sachin Kumar Sahoo for an assault earlier in the day, police say

A 42-year-old man Indian American man was shot and killed by police in San Antonio, Texas, after he tried to hit an officer who was trying to execute an arrest warrant over the weekend.

At around 12:45 am Sunday, San Antonio police arrived to a home in the 8600 block of Cheviot Heights, on the northwest side, to find a man involved in an assault about six hours prior, according to media reports citing SAPD Chief William McManus.

That suspect, later identified as Sachin Kumar Sahoo, had allegedly hit a woman with his car Saturday afternoon, local news outlet Kens5 reported.

READ: Four members of Indian American family die in California car crash (April 26, 2024)

According to McManus, a witness at the scene told officers the 51-year-old victim – identified by family members as Candace Byrnes – was walking on the sidewalk when Sahoo, driving a white BMW, pulled out of the driveway of a nearby home, drove onto the sidewalk and struck her. He then fled the scene.

Officers secured a warrant for Sahoo’s arrest, but when they arrived hours later to take him into custody, he tried to reverse between two police vehicles—and hit one of the SAPD officers in the process.

“The other officer that was with him fired to stop him, struck him and he’s deceased,” McManus said about what happened next. Sahoo was hit once in the chest and died at the scene, despite efforts from first responders to revive him.

He said the woman was the man’s roommate. McManus added as of Sunday morning, she had gone through “several surgeries,” and remains in critical condition at a hospital, according to mySA.com.

READ: Indian American killed in gas station armed robbery (January 23, 2023)

The officer allegedly hit by Sahoo was taken to a hospital for treatment, while another was treated at the scene.

“This is preliminary information, we haven’t looked at the body cam yet,” McManus said. The officer who had shot at the man, has been with SAPD for four years. An investigation into the shooting, remains active, and McManus said all information is preliminary and subject to change.