A Suspect is Allegedly Fatally Shot by Police Officers in Fort Worth, Texas
On Wednesday afternoon, February 14, 2018, an alleged armed suspect was allegedly fatally shot by Fort Worth, Texas, police officers during a traffic stop. According to Chris Bitt, Fort Worth Police Sergeant, the deadly shooting occurred in the Presidio Junction Shopping Center on North Tarrant Parkway at about 3 p.m. Prior to the traffic stop, police were called to a business on Fossil Bluff Drive with regard to a domestic dispute. Britt said an ex-boyfriend of one of the employees had a weapon and threatened her with it.
When police arrived on the scene, they were able to identify the suspect, a white adult male, who drove off in a red Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck. Police officers followed him in pursuit. The suspect turned in a shopping center parking lot, got out of his vehicle, and started to walk toward the four police officers who wanted to engage in conversation with him, Britt said. The suspect was commanded by the officers to stop, but the man, who had displayed a handgun, continued to walk toward the officers. Britt said officers opened fire and struck the suspect at a point when they feared for their lives.
The officers began first aid on the suspect, and he was transported by ambulance to John Peter Smith Hospital. An 18-year-old witness at a nearby drive-through restaurant said that she saw the alleged fatal police shooting incident unfold. She said it was frightening, especially because it felt that she was the only other person at the scene. She said it appeared the suspect refused to obey police commands. She also said that she saw the suspect walk very fast toward the officers and pull out his handgun.
All of the police officers were wearing body cameras, but it has not been verified whether any video footage captured the alleged shooting incident. The four officers involved have been placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure. The shooting is under investigation by the Major Case unit at the Fort Worth Police Department. The Texas Rangers will also conduct an investigation, which is also routine procedure after alleged fatal police shootings.
As with every post on this website, we are only providing information in this post and do not make any allegation or assertion that anyone acted inappropriately or engaged in misconduct.
–Guest Contributor
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