A Canyon Lake man was shot and killed by San Marcos Police Jan. 4 after authorities say he pointed a pellet pistol at officers during a traffic stop.

John Richard Camacho, 27, was identified as the person killed in the incident. Authorities said Camacho had an extensive criminal record that included weapons-related and violent offenses. Camacho was currently on parole at the time of the shooting.

According to a press release, San Marcos Police were dispatched to the 100 block of South LBJ Drive after a resident reported a man shooting a handgun at a vehicle. Bystanders told authorities the shooter then got into a vehicle and fled the scene.

Authorities located a vehicle matching the description traveling away from the downtown area on West Hopkins Street; they later conducted a “high-risk” stop at the intersection of West Hopkins and Bishop streets.

The passenger in the vehicle, later identified as Camacho, exited the vehicle and faced officers. Camacho initially complied to verbal commands from officers, but lowered his hands toward his waistband, where he reached and grasped for what looked like a semi-automatic handgun. According to the release, the firearm was later determined to be a pellet pistol.

Two San Marcos Police officers simultaneously fired at the man. Camacho was pronounced dead at the scene by Hays County Pct. 1.1 Justice of the Peace JoAnn Prado. The driver of the vehicle was not injured and is cooperating with police.

“The San Marcos Police Department values the sanctity of human life above all things, and any time we are forced to take a life in the course of our duties, we will do our best to provide as much information as we can as quickly as we can to our community,” said San Marcos Police Chief Chase Stapp.

The San Marcos Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division and the Texas Rangers are investigating the incident.