DPS: Suspect pointed weapon at officers before he was shot
Published 7:19 pm Tuesday, October 15, 2024
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WEST ORANGE — The Texas Department of Public Safety provided insight into an officer involved shooting that left a man dead not far from a middle school.
Sergeant Shana Clark with the Texas Department of Public Safety – Southeast Texas Region provided the update on the deadly incident on Facebook live Tuesday afternoon.
“Sadly we’re here because someone lost their life but law enforcement performed their duties and saved lives,” Clark said.
The incident began just before 9 a.m. Tuesday when the Bridge City Police Department received a report of multiple shots fired at multiple homes in Bridge City located in a single neighborhood. Officers were informed that a white truck fled the scene.
“Shortly after this a white Dodge Ram pickup reported to be traveling at a high rate of speed struck a motorcycle officer as he and other officers were escorting a wide load on State Highway 73 near Cow Bayou,” she said.
The officer received a severe leg injury but his injuries are reported as non life threatening.
This is when law enforcement began pursuit of the truck, Clark said.
The truck traveled to the intersection of West Green Street and North 15th Street near West Orange Stark Middle School and crashed into a utility pole. It was noted that the truck appeared to have a flat tire at this time. It is unknown why the truck crashed when it did.
Clark said the suspect, whose name has not been released, exited the vehicle with a semi automatic rifle and was given commands by law enforcement to put the weapon down and get on the ground.
The suspect reportedly laid the weapon down on the ground and lay prone but as officers began to approach the man he reportedly picked up the weapon and pointed it at officers.
Officers engaged and the suspect was shot. Life saving measures were attempted but the suspect was later pronounced deceased.
A video posted to social media showed seconds before and during the shooting. More than two dozen shots can be heard and several officers could be seen pointing weapons at a person lying on the ground. One officer appeared to be limping.
Clark said it is unknown if the officer was injured by shrapnel or as struck by a bullet; his injuries are not life threatening.
The incident was near West Orange Stark Middle School. West Orange-Cove Consolidated Independent School District sent an alert to parents that the middle school was sheltering in place due to a police incident adjacent to the campus.
Information on the suspect was not provided at the news conference other than saying the man was from Orange County.
Clark did not have information on the portion of the incident that originated in Bridge City and deferred questions to the Bridge City Police Department.
Multiple agencies were involved in the incident including Orange County Precinct 2 Constable’s Office, Orange County Precinct 3 Constable’s Office, Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Orange Police Department, West Orange Police Department, and the Texas Department of Public Safety, according to Orange County Sheriff’s Office Detective Colton Havard.