SAN ANTONIO — A woman who died after being shot in the back while sitting outside at a downtown patio bar early Tuesday morning has been identified as a Jasper ISD cheer and volleyball coach, the district said in a statement.
San Antonio Police responded to the 500 block of East Crockett around 12:15 a.m. for reports of a shooting.
When officers arrived, they found 28-year-old Ayden Burt had been shot in her upper back while sitting outside on the patio of Smoke Skybar.
Officers determined that Burt was seated on the upper level of the patio bar with her back to the highway when a gun shot was heard from the vicinity of I-37, which ended up hitting her.
Burt was taken to BAMC in critical condition, but sadly died from her injuries.
SAPD Chief of Police William McManus said Burt was in town for a conference when she was struck by a bullet that officials believe came from the highway. She was the only one injured.
Police have no suspect and don't know why Burt was shot.
On Tuesday, one coach traveling from Houston recalled the terrifying moments. She said she heard a single gunshot but everyone was unsure what was happening at first.
“About like, I don’t know a few minutes later, we see her being carried out by security and then a bunch of cops and everybody arrived," Ashleigh Griffin said.
Griffin said a crowd of people rushed to the front of the club. She said she stayed back to give first responders space.
"I was just praying she was going to be OK," Griffin said.
Another coach from Humble shared on Facebook, he was sitting next to Burt when she was struck. He said prior to the shooting they were talking about the great things she wanted to accomplish this school year.
He added, "in a matter of seconds a beautiful soul was taken way too son."
Burt had been with Jasper ISD for five years according to Superintendent John Seybold.
“She was so young, just starting her teaching career," Seybold said. "She had already touched so many lives.”
The Jasper ISD Athletic Department is taking donations here for Burt's family.
Meanwhile, San Antonio Police are urging anyone with information on the shooting to come forward.
Smoke Skybar owner Adrian Martinez posted a video on Facebook expressing condolences to the family of the victim and said the bar would be closed Wednesday.
The post said in part: We are deeply saddened and our thoughts and prayers go out to the victim and her family. We are working closely with authorities to do all we can to bring justice and catch the individual that caused this random act of violence. We will be closed all day today. We ask that you please keep the victim and her family in your thoughts and prayers through this very difficult time. (Out of respect for her family we have chosen to not mention the name of the victim).
See the full video post below:
Additionally, the Texas High School Coaches Association released a statement in response to Burt's death. It reads:
“We are absolutely heartbroken about the tragic and senseless death of Ayden Burt early Tuesday morning. We know first-hand that she was a wonderful person and a great coach who was passionate about the work she was doing to help the young people in East Texas excel. Our annual convention is all about celebrating the coaching profession and bringing people together. Ayden was having fun at an offsite networking event with her fellow coaches and what happened is truly unimaginable. To be laughing and sharing stories with her colleagues one moment and fighting for her life the next due to a mindless and heinous act is difficult to comprehend. San Antonio has always been a great host and a safe place for our coaches and it’s why we love coming there. We know the authorities will work tirelessly to find the perpetrators and we are hopeful they will be brought to justice. Meanwhile, our community of coaches is devastated and a loving family is grieving. Our hearts and prayers go out to her family, friends and the Jasper community. On behalf of the entire Texas High School Coaches Association, we will be making a benevolence fund donation to her family to provide additional support during this incredibly difficult time.” - Joe Martin, Executive Director, Texas High School Coaches Association
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