Beeville Police Chief Joe Trevino says one of his officers stopped a vehicle matching the description given by a store clerk shortly after a 3:30 a.m. Tuesday convenience store theft. Trevino says the man inside the car stepped from the car brandishing a handgun and made threatening gestures.
Trevino says Ponce refused to drop the gun, despite several demands from the officer. He says the officer then shot Ponce and performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation until paramedics arrived. Ponce died at Christus Spohn Hospital Beeville.
The officer, whom Trevino hasn't identified, is on paid leave pending investigation.
