A 20-year-old detention officer faces murder charges after allegedly allowing inmates to fatally assault a fellow prisoner inside the Bexar County jail.
At a Glance
- Deputy Clemente Lopez charged with murder in inmate death
- Lopez allegedly opened cell door, enabling fatal beating
- Victim Francisco Bazan died from blunt force injuries
- Incident marks fourth inmate death at jail in 2025
- Texas Rangers leading homicide investigation
Deputy Accused of Facilitating Inmate’s Death
Bexar County detention officer Clemente Lopez has been charged with murder following the death of 46-year-old inmate Francisco Bazan. Authorities allege that Lopez intentionally opened Bazan’s cell door, allowing a group of inmates to enter and launch a deadly assault. Bazan was found unresponsive around 2:45 a.m. on April 30, and pronounced dead shortly after due to severe internal bleeding caused by blunt force trauma, according to KSAT.
Lopez had joined the sheriff’s office in August 2023 but resigned after being questioned about the incident. He was arrested immediately and is currently being held on a $500,000 bond, per the San Antonio Express-News.
Watch KSAT’s report on the case at BCSO deputy charged with murder after Bexar County inmate found dead.
Gruesome Details of the Assault
According to an arrest affidavit, several inmates asked Lopez to open Bazan’s cell. He complied, warning them, “Don’t make it bad,” and then allegedly watched as they beat Bazan, kicking him in the face and smashing his head against the concrete. Lopez later admitted he had previously allowed similar assaults to happen under his supervision, as reported by CrimeOnline.
Despite emergency medical efforts—including the administration of Narcan—Bazan was pronounced dead at 3:14 a.m. An autopsy confirmed his death was a homicide caused by severe internal injuries, according to KSAT.
Pattern of Negligence and Broader Failures
This is the fourth inmate death at the Bexar County jail in 2025, raising serious concerns about safety and oversight within the facility. The Texas Rangers are leading the criminal investigation, while the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office has launched an internal review. The Texas Commission on Jail Standards has also been notified and is evaluating the jail’s compliance, per San Antonio Express-News.
Sheriff Javier Salazar criticized Lopez’s actions, stating, “From the first day of training, cadets and deputies are reminded that inmates are neither their friends nor their enemies. This suspect ignored both of those points and is now paying for it with his freedom and his career.”
This case has prompted calls for urgent reform in hiring, training, and monitoring within Texas detention centers. As the investigation unfolds, the public awaits answers—and accountability.
