SAN ANTONIO – Two days after a San Antonio police officer shot himself while on duty, the department said he died by suicide and was under criminal investigation.
Officer William Kasberg — who was with SAPD for 30 years and was nearing retirement — was accused in an invasive visual recording case out of Rockport, according to San Antonio and Rockport police departments.
Rockport police confirmed that Kasberg died by suicide a day after they contacted him about the case. As of Friday, Dec. 13, here’s what we know about the case.
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Kasberg was under investigation in Rockport
Kasberg was under criminal investigation by the Rockport Police Department for recording a teenager without their consent inside a bathroom last month, records obtained from Rockport police state.
In a news release, Rockport police said Kasberg was visiting Rockport with his girlfriend and relatives when a relative noticed a visual recording device in a bathroom.
Here’s a timeline of events in the case:
- Nov. 14: Between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m., Kasberg reportedly videotaped a teenager without their consent in a bathroom at a motel in the 7300 block of South Water Street in Rockport, RPD records show.
- Nov. 25: The offense was reported to Rockport, RPD records show.
- Dec. 9: Detectives with Rockport police contacted Kasberg, “who indicated he would agree to speak with detectives in person about our case at a later time,” a news release from RPD states.
- Dec. 10: Kasberg died by suicide while on duty in San Antonio.
Shooting happened before training session
The shooting happened at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday near the vacant Columbia Heights Elementary School building in the 1600 block of Fitch Street.
SAPD Chief William McManus initially said that Kasberg was preparing to enter a state-mandated ALERRT training session when his weapon accidentally discharged, striking him.
On Thursday, SAPD said Kasberg used his own gun in the shooting.
A fellow officer, who was also heading to the training, heard the gunshot and found Kasberg lying on his back. The injured officer was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
McManus described the incident as a “terrible, terrible tragic accident” at a news conference on Tuesday.
“This officer was well-respected. He was a fun guy,” McManus said.
Danny Diaz, president of the San Antonio Police Officers' Association, told KSAT that they are focusing on Kasberg’s family.
No students or teachers were present, as the Harlandale Independent School District had closed the school, along with three others, in March 2023. The building was being used for active shooter training.
Rockport police discusses case with KSAT
Rockport Police Department Chief Nathan Anderson told KSAT that the department will approach this case as it would any other investigation.
“We’re treating this just like any other case that we would investigate. The fact that he was a police officer in San Antonio, it has nothing to do with our investigation,“ Anderson said. "It’s unfortunate that it’s a fellow officer who’s being accused of this, but we’re handling the case just like we would any other citizen that this is reported on."
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Investigators said they are still looking for more evidence in this case.
“The next step now is the case will ultimately be cleared since the person accused unfortunately took his own life,” Anderson said. “But we will continue with the investigation just to do our due diligence, whether to either clear him or see if there was probable cause that the crime occurred.”
Kasberg helped create SAPD’s mental health unit
On Dec. 1, 2008, Kasberg and Ernest Stevens answered SAPD’s first mental health unit 911 call.
Stevens on Friday said the two worked together as partners for 25 years. He was devastated to learn what happened.
“We were together the whole time,” Stevens said. “It is paralyzing (to hear he died). The number one killer among law enforcement is suicide. It’s not being killed in the line of duty. These situations just continue to happen.”
Stevens said Kasberg had an influential role at SAPD in the DWI and mental health units. He also said Kasberg led certain trainings within the department.
“Everybody knew him,” Stevens said.
Anytime a suicide happens within the department, Stevens said it’s hard to move forward. But he wants officers and anyone impacted by this death to know there is help available.
“You’re either going into a storm, you’re in a storm, or you’re coming out of a storm. It appears he was in a storm,” Stevens said. “It’s the stigma of ‘I’m too strong to ask for help.‘”
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or thoughts of suicide, call 988 or text TALK to 741-741.
You can also reach out to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) or the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) at 210-223-7233 (SAFE) or 800-316-9241. You can also text NAMI to 741-741.
