A lively night in San Antonio's Historic Market Square turned into chaos, with two dead and four others injured following a shooting on the penultimate night of Fiesta, a popular citywide celebration. According to SAPD, the gunfire erupted between two young men who ultimately lost their lives in the exchange.

Police Chief William McManus told reporters, including KENS 5, that the situation was complex, with officers rushing to address the shooting in the bustling downtown area. Initially, McManus stated that six bystanders were injured, however, the figure was later revised down to four, with half of those hurt taken to a hospital with injuries described as non-life-threatening. "We have a very busy crime scene here," said McManus, trying to provide clarity amidst the unsettling events.

During the incident, SAPD confirmed that multiple officers discharged their weapons. "We had two officers return fire, and he was just pronounced dead," McManus detailed, speaking of one of the armed individuals involved.

Investigations are ongoing as detectives work to piece together the narrative of a night meant for celebration that ended in tragedy. The identities of the deceased have not been released to the public. An ounce of familiarity tinged this latest act of violence, as it echoed a similar occurrence last year during Fiesta celebrations in the same historic locale. The area, no stranger to crowds and revelry, was rocked as the sounds of celebration were replaced by the stark blasts of gunfire just blocks south from where the Fiesta Flambeau Parade had concluded hours earlier.

Law enforcement recovered two firearms at the scene of the shooting, according to the police chief. Meanwhile, the San Antonio community is left to reconcile the joyful festivities of Fiesta with the stark reality of gun violence that has punctuated their celebrations two years in a row.