SAN ANTONIO – WARNING: THE VIDEO ABOVE SHOWS FOOTAGE OF A PERSON BEING SHOT AT CLOSE RANGE AND MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL AUDIENCES.
Recently released surveillance footage offers a disturbing glimpse into a shooting incident that occurred in October 2023. A Northside Independent School District police officer shot a woman outside a crowded high school football stadium in San Antonio. This incident has raised significant questions about police protocols and accountability.
The video, shared by the San Antonio Police Department, captures the moments before the shooting of Markay Garcia, the wife of an assistant football coach at Sotomayor High School. The event took place just outside the Dub Farris Athletic Complex, where thousands had gathered for a varsity football game.
Despite surviving the incident, Garcia suffered severe injuries, including a shattered humerus and damaged nerves, leading her to file a federal lawsuit against the district and two officers involved.
Details of the Incident
The footage shows Officer Kyle Kennedy and Officer Joseph Garcia positioned near a crosswalk as Garcia’s SUV approached. The situation escalated quickly when Kennedy stepped in front of the vehicle, while Officer Garcia attempted to open the driver’s door. In less than 20 seconds, the interaction turned violent when Officer Kennedy fired a shot, hitting Markay Garcia in the arm.
As spectators fled for safety, Garcia exited the SUV in distress, collapsing on the pavement. Eyewitnesses and other officers rushed to her assistance, including her husband, who came from within the stadium.
Dr. Michael Sierra-Arévalo, a sociology professor at the University of Texas at Austin, emphasized the risk created by an officer drawing a firearm in a crowded public space. He criticized the decision-making that led to the shooting, highlighting the danger of placing officers directly in front of a moving vehicle.
Conflicting Accounts and Legal Ramifications
The officers later claimed that Garcia was speeding through the parking lot, but surveillance footage disputes this narrative, showing a more measured pace as she entered the complex. In November 2024, a grand jury indicted Officer Kennedy on multiple charges, including aggravated assault by a public servant.
In December 2025, he pleaded guilty to the aggravated assault charge and received a six-year deferred adjudication, which allowed him to avoid jail time. Following these events, Kennedy resigned from his position with the Northside ISD Police Department.
Markay Garcia, through her attorney, has not made public statements regarding her lawsuit, which remains ongoing. The Northside ISD has declined to comment on the incident, citing the ongoing litigation.
This incident serves as a reminder of the critical discussions surrounding police conduct and the need for comprehensive training and accountability within law enforcement. As the legal proceedings continue, the community watches closely to ensure justice is served.
