KINGSVILLE, Texas — A Kingsville police officer shot in the line of duty Monday evening remains in the intensive care unit at a Corpus Christi hospital after spending several hours in surgery, according to relatives.
Officer Sherman Benys was shot just after 5 p.m. Monday while responding to a domestic dispute in Kingsville, Texas.
On Tuesday, Kingsville police released more details in that shooting and the charges now faced by the 40-year-old suspect.
According to Kingsville Police Chief Ricardo Torres, the shooting occurred near North Wanda Drive. The man police say opened fire at responding officers, along with one relative at the scene, was 40-year-old Alfredo DeLeon.
Benys and one other responding officer, who is now on paid administrative leave as per department protocol during an investigation into the shooting, shot back.
Benys was the only officer injured in the shooting. Fellow officers rushed to his aid while others pursued DeLeon, eventually catching up to him on South 11th Street and Miller Avenue.
Meanwhile, Benys was rushed to CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital-Kleberg and then airlifted via HALO-Flight to CHRISTUS Spohn Shoreline Hospital in Corpus Christi where he underwent surgery.
Relatives said Benys needed as much as 18 units of blood during his surgery. He remains in the intensive care unit in critical condition.
Police said DeLeon now faces three counts of Capital Murder of a Peace Officer or Fireman Inchoate, and one count of Attempted Murder. Kingsville police said "inchoate" refers to an attempt at a crime despite its outcome. 3News reached out to defense attorney and legal expert Matt Manning, who clarified that the charge roughly translates to "attempted capital murder."
Authorities also said a crash may have been related to the incident. That will be investigated by the Texas Department of Public Safety. The initial domestic violence call, as well as the shooting, remain under investigation as well.
The Texas A&M University-Kingsville Police Department, Kleberg County Sheriffs Office, County Attorney Task Force, Texas Rangers and DPS are all assisting in the investigations.
According to police, Benys has served the citizens of Kingsville and the Kingsville Police Department for 19 years.
DeLeon is currently in custody at the Kleberg County Jail.
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