A Texas district attorney is under the congressional spotlight after an individual with a lengthy rap sheet went on a shooting spree against San Antonio law enforcement while out on bail.
Brandon Poulos — a man who had just been arrested several days prior for allegedly pushing an 81-year-old woman to the ground, socking an 83-year-old man in the face and then crashing his vehicle while intoxicated — allegedly fired at seven different San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) officers while barricaded in an apartment complex during an hours-long standoff. Texas GOP Rep. Chip Roy is now asking Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales, who has been supported by liberal billionaire George Soros, to explain why the man was released in the first place.
“I write today with serious concerns regarding the recent incident in which an individual – with a lengthy criminal history who was released on bail – fired upon law enforcement, injuring seven San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) officers,” Roy wrote to Gonzales in a Thursday letter exclusively obtained by the Daily Caller News Foundation.
“This incident appears to be another example where lax criminal justice policies, including bail reform, have threatened the safety of Bexar County residents and our law enforcement officers,” Roy continued.
SAPD officers responded to a suicide-in-progress call on Jan. 22 at the Sonterra Heights complex. When officers arrived, Poulos remained barricaded inside an apartment for over six hours. The 46-year-old opened fire at the responding officers, shooting one in the leg and injuring six others.
Poulos was ultimately killed by San Antonio Police Department’s SWAT team. Law enforcement believes he purposively called 911 to ambush responding police officers.
“This incident raises serious questions as to why someone with a history of violence was released on bail,” Roy wrote to Gonzales.
Poulos was arrested for the alleged elderly attacks and intoxicated driving on Jan. 18 and released on a $35,000 bond the following day, according to a local report. His release was just three days before the apartment shooting spree. Additionally, he allegedly broke a “no contact” order given to him almost immediately after the elderly assault case.
Gonzales, a Democrat, entered office as the Bexar County District Attorney in January 2019 and was re-elected in 2022. Gonzales has been heavily backed by the nation’s most well-known bankroller of left-wing prosecutors, according to data compiled by the Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund (LELDF).
Gonzales has received more than $2 million in Soros-connected donations through the Fair and Just Prosecution, Texas Organizing Project and the Texas Justice & Public Safety PAC, according to LELDF. The donations make Gonzales one of many left-wing district attorneys across the United States who have enjoyed financial backing by Soros, who has openly admitted to wanting more prosecutors who are softer on criminals.
Roy is demanding Gonzales answer what steps his office is taking to ensure violent criminals are not committing crimes due to lenient bond policies and what current policies are in place allowing prosecutors to object to low bond amounts.
The Republican lawmaker is also asking Gonzales to explain why his office did not seek to confine Poulos and other violent offenders like him.
The Bexar County District Attorney’s Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the DCNF.
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