SAN ANTONIO — San Antonio's top law enforcement officer is promising security checks for those visiting Market Square during Fiesta next year after weekend gunfire that officials say left two dead and four others hurt.
"You can be assured you will be checked for weapons as you walk in," said San Antonio Police Chief William McManus in a brief update posted to Facebook. "If you're carrying backpacks or bags, they'll be checked as well."
Two young men, aged 18 and 20, died after they opened fire on each other just after midnight Saturday at the popular downtown district, according to officials.
Authorities said two SAPD officers at the scene fired at one of the men, identified as Mikey Valdez, killing him. The other man, Albert Cisneros Jr., died after being taken to a hospital and two guns were recovered at the scene.
“This was an isolated incident between two individuals who had some sort of beef and they decided to take it to Market Square among all those people," McManus said in his Monday update. "This was not any kind of mass event... officers were right there when it happened and took appropriate action."
A young man was also shot in 2023 during Fiesta at Market Square, which hosts the popular Fiesta de los Reyes event that lasted until midnight most nights during the 11-day celebration.
McManus didn't provide further specifics about security changes for Fiesta de los Reyes, which encompasses Market Square, Market Plaza and Milam Park, and has been organized by the Rey Feo Consejo Educational Foundation since 2010. Visitors were able to access the event from five different access points in 2024.
Asked by SAPD personnel in the Facebook update about the role the agency plays in safeguarding Fiesta events, McManus said the department supplies "the officers to staff security throughout these events."
Asked about safety, Fiesta de los Reyes organizers told KENS 5 they were "working with the City of San Antonio and the Fiesta Commission to enhance security measures at our event," but also didn't provide specifics.
District 1 councilwoman Sukh Kaur said city leaders are discussing meeting with those organizers. She said they discuss whether to change the hours of the event so it would end earlier or make it a ticketed event.
“We have to debate what that would be for families who truly just want to be and experience Fiesta at no costs, so we’ll be looking at all options," Kaur said.
District 2 council member Jalen McKee-Rodriguez also weighed in Twitter, saying he doesn't believe adding police is the answer to keeping Fiesta safe.
"My thing is… There's a police officer on every corner during Fiesta. It's damn near a micro police state," McKee-Rodriguez wrote. Are we at the point where we can recognize that police presence is not deterring violence in the way people believe it does? This is a deeper issue."
This is a developing story. Check back with KENS5.com for updates.
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