SAN ANTONIO — An 80-year-old woman was killed after police believe she was caught in the crossfire of a shootout in the downtown area late Sunday night, authorities say. A 19-year-old was also shot and injured in that incident.
According to officials with the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD), officers responded to Indianola Street at East Cesar Chavez Boulevard around 10 p.m. for reports of a shooting between two groups of young men. It's unclear what led up to the shootout, but police say the elderly woman was shot in the head by a stray bullet while riding in a vehicle as a passenger.
Police Chief William McManus says nine young men have been detained.
“All too often young people with guns with no regard for anybody else's safety are shooting indiscriminately in open areas where other people can easily get hurt. Like last night and like Market Square.”
The woman, later identified as Heidi Silkworth, was from out of town and leaving a graduation ceremony at the Alamodome when she was hit and taken to a local hospital.
"This shooting last night made me sick to my stomach," McManus said.
Details are limited about the incident, and it's unclear as of now who fired the fatal bullet. Police found multiple shell casings on the ground in the intersection and are reviewing video surveillance.
Police say Silkworth was taken to the hospital, but later died from her injuries. The male victim, who was in the group firing shots, is expected to be OK. McManus initially said he was also in the car, but police now say he was involved in the outside altercation.
Chief McManus said the area is not a crime hotspot but added the SAFE Unit was working to determine if more security needs to be added to downtown.
This is a developing story.
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