During a morning press conference, San Marcos Interim Police Chief Bob 
Klett provided additional details about the fatal shooting incident at Twin Lake Villas Apartments, 2917 Hunter Rd, that occurred Saturday evening. He also spoke about the officer killed in the line of duty and the two who were wounded.
“We lost a fine young man, faithful officer and friend last night,” Klett said. “Our hearts are heavy as we pray for Justin Putnam’s family and for our two officers fighting for their lives today.”
The deceased is Officer Justin Putnam who came to San Marcos from Austin. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Texas State University. He had been a member of SMPD since November 3, 2014 and, like his peers in the department, was chosen because he exemplified the ability to serve in a wonderfully diverse community. Putnam was engaged to be married. His father is a veteran of the Austin Fire Department.
The officers wounded in the incident are Officer Franco Stewart and Officer Justin Mueller. Stewart came to SMPD on December 3, 2019 after serving with the McAllen Police Departm
ent for two and a half years and briefly serving with the U.S. Border Patrol before returning to street patrol. Mueller joined SMPD as a telecommunications operator in 2007 and rose through those ranks to become a supervisor. He started his service as a Licensed Police Officer on June 7, 2019. He has worked remarkably to attain his dream of becoming of police officer. Both officers are in critical but stable condition in the ICU at Ascension Seton Hays in Kyle.
The tragedy resulted after officers responded to the apartment complex following a call to 911 for an assault/domestic disturbance at 6:05 p.m. yesterday. During the course of their response, the suspect ambushed the officers inside the residence with a rifle.
The shooter has been preliminarily identified as Alfredo Perez Delacruz (DOB 1/13/74) of San Marcos and was found inside his residence at the apartment complex deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. SMPD is working with the Texas Rangers to confirm his identity and if he has a criminal record as it appears he may have operated under several aliases.
SMPD thanks the Texas Rangers for taking the lead in the investigation, Hays County Sheriff’s Office, Kyle Police Department, Buda Police Department, Austin Police Department, New Braunfels Police Department, Texas State University Police Department, Hays County Constables, Department of Public Safety Highway Patrol, City of San Marcos Park Rangers, FBI, Hays County EMS and the San Marcos Fire Department for assistance and continuing to help SMPD cover the streets.
“We are eternally grateful for the outpouring of support and on-the-ground aid we received from these and other law enforcement partners,” said Klett.
A patrol car will be parked at City Hall, 630 East Hopkins Street, near the police and firefighter statues along Hopkins Street. Members of the public may leave memorials for Officer Putnam’s family and SMPD around the vehicle. For information on donation opportunities, the public is encouraged to follow SMPD on Facebook.