SAN ANTONIO, Nov. 21 (UPI) — San Antonio Police announced Monday the arrest of a man suspected of targeting a police officer and killing him during a traffic stop on Sunday, CNN reported Monday afternoon.
Police Chief William McManus said a 31-year-old man was arrested in the death of Det. Benjamin Marconi, 50, a 20-year veteran of the department, who was shot in his patrol car outside police headquarters.
Monday, McManus said it appears likely that the gunman had no relationship or prior beef with Marconi, and simply decided to murder a police officer at the first opportunity.
“I feel we were targeted,” he said Monday. “I think the uniform was the target, and the first person who happened along was the target.”
“The Marconi family would like to give thanks from the bottom of our hearts for the outpouring of support, prayers and love we have received. At this time, we would appreciate privacy to mourn the loss of a wonderful father, brother, grandfather, friend and last but not least, a peace officer,” Marconi’s family said in a statement Monday. “Thank you to the San Antonio community and nation as a whole for your support.”
Investigators are looking into the possibility that Marconi’s shooting, and perhaps others involving three other officers on Sunday, might be motivated by anti-police sentiment that has swept across the United States in recent months.
Police said the suspected gunman went to the San Antonio Public Safety building earlier Sunday morning, perhaps looking for a target.
Statistics say 58 police officers have been killed so far in 2016, which is on track to be the deadliest year for officers by gun violence since 2011.
