What should have been a "routine traffic stop" on Thursday, 3 March, turned dangerous for Schertz, Texas police officer Richard Kunz, who successfully defended himself against a motorist who was in the process of hosing down the officer's patrol vehicle with more than 30 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.
The assailant, Michael Patrick Kennedy, 48, of Longhorn Trail in Bulverde, was charged with attempted capital murder, according to authorities. At 2338 hours Officer Kunz pulled over a black Toyota Corolla on the northbound Interstate 35 for a speeding violation.
The information in the subsequent arrest affidavit stated that, upon arriving at the Corolla, the driver, who did not identify himself, raised and pointed a silver-colored handgun at Officer Kunz.
Retreating to the cover of his patrol vehicle, the officer drew his Glock service weapon and exchanged fire with Kennedy, who used a 9mm handgun and an AK-47 rifle. Officer Kunz got off sixteen rounds and managed to shoot Kennedy three times in the upper back and neck, and although he sustained no injuries of his own, the accompanying photos show the damage to his vehicle.
Kennedy was taken by ambulance in serious condition to Brooke Army Medical Center to undergo surgery, but is expected to recover. In addition to the Kalashnikov rifle and 9mm pistol, police additionally recovered a .380 ACP pistol and several magazines from Kennedy's car.
The Schertz Police Department placed Kunz on administrative leave while the incident is under investigation by the SPD and the Texas Rangers. Kunz, 30, has been with the department for two years after having previously served 18 months with the Kirby Police Department. Kunz holds a bachelor's degree and 1,036 hours of training with the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. This was the first shooting involving a Schertz police officer in more than 2 ½ years. Police Chief Steve Starr commended his officer, saying:
Officer Kunz' experience is one that all police officers must be prepared to face, regardless of where they work. His calm, by-the-book response is a testimony to his presence of mind and to extensive training. While good fortune may have played a role in his success, experience and training were key to his ability to take a dangerous criminal off the street.
In searching the home of the suspect, law enforcement officials from Comal County Sheriff's Department, the Texas Rangers, the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the San Antonio Police Department's bomb squad found what Comal County Detective Sergeant Tommy Ward described as:
...a weapons cache, military equipment and a secret bunker dug at the rear of the residence that was fortified out of earth, steel and railroad ties. It was disguised from the top so it was difficult to locate. He also had in a room in the house a fortification in the form of a steel-plated wall. He had a Kevlar helmet and a chemical protective mask in the residence and in the bunker.
