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SAPD: Man shot and killed by police after allegedly pulling knife

A man who threatened to jump off an overpass near downtown San Antonio and was fatally shot by officers after he allegedly pulled a knife on them Tuesday morning, has been identified.

Tomas Hernandez, 35, was identified by the Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office

At about 8 a.m., officers received a call about the Hernandez, who was in his 30s, threatening to jump off Interstate 37 near Alamodome.

Crisis negotiators were sent to the scene, and they were able to get him off the ledge, Chief William McManus said.

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Officers backed off Hernandez, however, after a police helicopter saw what appeared to be a weapon in his waistband.

Hernandez allegedly pulled the weapon, which was a knife with a “gun grip,” McManus said.

Fearing it was a firearm, four police officers shot Hernandez, striking him multiple times.

He was pronounced dead shortly after the shooting, McManus said.

It’s unclear whether police have encountered this man before. McManus said officers haven’t identified him.

The southbound lanes of Interstate 37 will remain closed for about two hours while police gather evidence.

The four officers will be placed on administrative duty while the investigation is ongoing, McManus said.

The officers had 24, 12, 10 and 8 years of experience, respectively. Three of them are negotiators and one is a patrol officer.

The incident, has traffic near the Alamodome snarled. Traffic cameras showed all five lanes of traffic on Interstate 37 South backed up with vehicles just after 9:30 a.m.

Staff Writer Jacob Beltran contributed to to this report.

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