In the last two weeks, two shootings and two thefts hit the park. In the last month, a parking lot across the street had trouble too. It saw a shooting, an armed robbery, and shots fired.
The worst case happened before 5 a.m. on August 30. Jonathan "Jon" Alderete, 35, was hanging out near the Red McCombs court. That court sits inside Hemisfair's Tower Park. Alderete was a dad.
Police say a fight broke out that morning. Isean Hardeman, 23, and some others took a basketball. It was Alderete's family ball. Hardeman and the others started to play with it. Alderete got into it with Hardeman over the ball.
Police say a camera at the park caught what happened next. An arrest affidavit says the video shows Hardeman pull out a gun. He shot Alderete. Alderete died right there.
Police charged Hardeman in the shooting.
San Antonio police are now adding foot patrols and bike patrols at Hemisfair. They are working with the Bexar County Sheriff on a safety plan. City leaders are helping too. Officers have also started to meet with neighbors near the park.
More eyes are on Hemisfair right now. City leaders just said yes to a new Spurs arena at the same spot.
Everyone is presumed innocent until proved otherwise.
