San Antonio City Manager Erik Walsh upheld the termination of maintenance worker Ezra Aguilar on March 31, 2026. The decision followed a Municipal Civil Service Commission ruling that Aguilar's actions were in self-defense and a recommendation for reinstatement.

Aguilar, 21, was arrested on November 17, 2025, on a misdemeanor charge of family violence causing bodily injury. His former girlfriend reported he slapped her and poured bleach on her face during a dispute. Aguilar denied striking her, stating he threw a bottle with bleach after she sprayed him with a hose. Police took Aguilar into custody while paramedics transported the woman to a hospital for burning eyes.

Aguilar self-reported the arrest to management and received a proposed termination notice the next day. Termination became final in December 2025. On February 13, 2026, the Commission ruled Aguilar's actions did not violate city domestic violence policy and voted 2-1 to recommend reducing the termination to a suspension. Prosecutors dismissed the family violence charge on March 11, 2026.

A city spokesperson said, "The City of San Antonio has a zero-tolerance domestic violence policy for its employees and is committed to preventing and reducing domestic violence within our community. The City Manager reviewed the facts of this case, as well as the Municipal Civil Service Commission's recommendation to reduce the termination to a suspension with time served. However, given the nature of the rule violation, the original termination action was upheld." Antonio Aguilar Jr., a city employee, said, "Before I'm an employee, I'm a father. Erik Walsh put his name on the paper. The city failed my son."