Texas shooting suspect faced family violence assault charge

Published December 06, 2017

Affidavits show a man suspected of fatally shooting a Central Texas officer serving a warrant for his arrest faced a family violence assault charge related to his wife and mother-in-law.

San Marcos police have issued an arrest warrant for Stewart Thomas Mettz, 51. He is suspected of shooting 58-year-old officer Kenneth Copeland on Monday, but police haven't filed charges against him in connection to the death.

Arrest warrant affidavits were filed in Hays County on Monday, the Austin American-Statesman reported . The affidavits show Mettz's mother-in-law lived with Mettz and his wife for about a year and a half.

His wife and mother-in-law told police on Nov. 26 that he'd assaulted them. The mother-in-law alleged Mettz grabbed her by the shirt and neck when he found her in his room Nov. 25, pulling her out of the room.

Mettz's wife also reported an assault Aug. 30, saying several other physical altercations occurred in which Mettz was the aggressor.

The women also alleged Mettz threatened them if they filed charges against him.

"(The women) advised that they have never reported any previous incidents because they are scared of Stewart," the affidavit said.

Mettz, who also was shot Monday, remains in an Austin hospital. Police said it's unclear whether officers shot Mettz or he shot himself.

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Information from: Austin American-Statesman, http://www.statesman.com

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