Death by Cop 2026
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Gregory Allan Boaz
Age : 56
Gender : Male
Race : Latino/a/e
Date : 08/17/2026
Location : 6700 block of Spring Front Drive
City : San Antonio
County : Bexar
State : Texas
Agency : San Antonio Police Department
Officer(s) :Rafael Perez
Cause of Death : Gunshot
Event : Killed by police during mental health crisis
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
NARRATIVE:
On 08/17/2026, 56-year-old Gregory Allan Boaz was shot and killed by San Antonio Police Officer Rafael Perez outside Boaz's home in the 6700 block of Spring Front Drive during a mental health crisis. Boaz was a Marine Corps veteran, father and longtime member of San Antonio's cycling community.
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The encounter began late on August 16 when Boaz himself called 911 and reported that someone armed with a gun was in his backyard. Police subsequently said investigators found no evidence that another armed person had been there and believed Boaz was experiencing a mental health crisis.
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Acting Police Chief Jesse Salame said Perez did not know when he arrived that Boaz was experiencing a mental health crisis. Perez met Boaz's girlfriend at the front door and accompanied her along the side of the house to investigate the backyard.
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Police alleged that Boaz then appeared carrying two large kitchen knives. Salame alleged that Perez ordered Boaz to drop the knives and that Boaz continued toward the officer. These descriptions are police claims pending completion of the investigation and release of the available video evidence.
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Perez fired multiple rounds, striking Boaz. Boaz died at the scene.
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The Bexar County Medical Examiner subsequently identified Boaz and determined that he died from multiple gunshot wounds. His death was ruled a homicide. The identification corrected initial reporting that had described him as 57 years old; Boaz was 56.
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Boaz had served in the United States Marine Corps and was deeply involved in San Antonio's cycling community. He participated in several cycling organizations, including Team Taco Cycling and Team Left Hand, an organization that raises money for multiple sclerosis research.
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Friends described Boaz as someone who organized training rides, encouraged other cyclists and regularly helped fellow riders. Members of the cycling community said they were heartbroken by his death and began organizing a memorial bicycle ride in his honor.
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Boaz's killing was the seventh San Antonio Police Department shooting of 2026.
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The shooting remains under investigation. Available police video and other evidence will be important in independently evaluating the circumstances immediately preceding Perez's gunfire.
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OFFICER BACKGROUND:
Rafael Perez had been a San Antonio Police Department officer for approximately one year when he shot and killed Gregory Allan Boaz.
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Perez fired multiple rounds during the encounter. He was placed on administrative duty while SAPD conducts its investigation.
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