Garland Police Shooting Incident
Police in Garland shot and killed a person who had allegedly barricaded themself in the same motel room where a second body was found after officers were able to enter the room, officials said.
Officials said police opened fire on the suspect after the tenant confronted an officer with a gun at a Motel 6, located at 12721 LBJ Freeway.
Initial Response
At about 1:50 p.m., Garland police responded to a report of a disturbance between a motel tenant and management at the motel, according to a news release from the department.
When officers arrived at the scene, they attempted to speak with the tenant. Police said during the encounter, the person “pointed a firearm at the officers,” at which point they immediately took cover for their safety.
Crime in The News
SWAT Team Involvement
Police said the SWAT team was called to manage the threat due to an “aggravated assault on a peace officer with a deadly weapon charge and the high-risk nature of the situation.” Detectives also obtained a warrant for the tenant, who has not yet been publicly identified.
Nearby motel rooms were evacuated as a precaution while officers tried to diffuse the situation, police said.
Negotiators tried to talk to the barricaded suspect but they “refused to respond to the communications,” according to the news release.
Related: Man shot, killed by Denton County sheriff’s deputies in Sanger, officials say
Confrontation and Shooting
SWAT officers deployed tear gas into the room in an attempt to force the suspect to surrender, police said. While walking to the window of the room, police said the suspect “confronted a SWAT team member with a firearm” from inside.
The officer then fired his department-issued rifle, striking the tenant, according to police. When the SWAT officers entered the room, they found the suspect dead from the gunshot wound.
Officers then found the body of a second individual inside the room.
Investigation and Aftermath
Police said preliminary observations suggest the person “had been deceased for some time prior to the incident.” Investigators did not immediately identify the victim or disclose how they died.
No officers were hurt during the incident, police said.
Further information was not available, however the department’s Criminal Investigations Division is investigating the circumstances surrounding the suspect’s actions and the death of the victim later found in the room, according to the news release.
The department did not say if the officer who fired the fatal round would be placed on desk duty during the investigation. That officer was not immediately publicly identified.
Conclusion
The incident in Garland highlights the risks and challenges faced by law enforcement officers in their daily duties. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting and the death of the second individual is ongoing, and more information is expected to be released in the coming days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What happened during the incident in Garland?
A: Police in Garland shot and killed a person who had allegedly barricaded themself in a motel room, where a second body was later found.
Q: What led to the police being called to the scene?
A: The police were called to the scene after a report of a disturbance between a motel tenant and management.
Q: Was anyone else hurt during the incident?
A: No officers were hurt during the incident, but a second individual was found dead in the motel room.
Q: Is the investigation into the incident ongoing?
A: Yes, the department’s Criminal Investigations Division is investigating the circumstances surrounding the suspect’s actions and the death of the victim later found in the room.
