Officer Johnathan T. Guerra has been a member of the San Antonio Police Department since 2020. His time on the force has included various incidents, some of which have raised questions about police conduct and the treatment of suspects.
In September 2025, Guerra was involved in the arrest of a man who had a felony warrant out for family violence. During the arrest, Guerra’s actions were recorded on his body camera, revealing a series of confrontational exchanges between him and the suspect.
As Guerra was handcuffing the suspect, he used his knee to strike the suspect in the back of the head. This action was captured on video, highlighting the physical nature of the arrest. Following this, as Guerra attempted to assist the suspect to his feet, the suspect reportedly tried to kick him.
In response to the attempted kick, Guerra reacted aggressively, stating, “You kick me bro, I’m gonna f— you up,” before hitting the suspect in the face and telling him to be quiet. This exchange raises significant concerns about the appropriateness of Guerra’s response.
As the suspect was being searched, he expressed his discomfort, stating that he did not want Guerra to touch him. Guerra’s reply was to insult the suspect and then slap him on the back of the head. He also pulled the suspect’s hair and pushed him onto the hood of the patrol car, further escalating the situation.
According to the suspension paperwork, Guerra’s body camera footage showed him lifting the suspect’s arms, which caused the suspect to scream that if he kicked, it was because his arms were being pushed too far. This suggests a potential issue with the methods used during the arrest.
After being booked into jail, the suspect reportedly taunted Guerra, leading to another incident in which Guerra kneed the suspect in the stomach. This action, too, was captured on the body camera, raising ongoing concerns about excessive force and the treatment of individuals in police custody.
These events are part of a broader conversation about police conduct and accountability, emphasizing the importance of proper training and the need for officers to de-escalate situations rather than resorting to physical violence. As communities continue to address these issues, it is vital for law enforcement to maintain trust and uphold their duty to protect and serve all individuals fairly.
