Dallas Police Shooting
Update:
1:22 p.m. July 9, 2025: Revised to include additional information.
Incident Overview
Dallas police fatally shot a man Wednesday morning who had earlier held a knife to his neck while kicking the door of a house in Old East Dallas, Chief Daniel Comeaux said.
The man, whose identity police did not publicly release, was transported by Dallas Fire-Rescue to a hospital, where he died.
“He had a knife to his neck, and he was kicking the door,” Comeaux said during a brief news conference. The chief did not take questions from reporters.
Police Response
Police were called at about 9:55 a.m. to the 3000 block of Fairview Avenue, where the man did not drop the knife after “loud verbal commands” from officers, Comeaux said.
Crime in The News
Officers then used “less-than-lethal force” and shouted additional commands in an attempt to stop the man, Comeaux said, though the chief did not detail what equipment the officers used.
Shooting and Aftermath
Dallas Police Department officials investigate a scene after a man was shot by a police officer on the 3000 block of Fairview Avenue on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, in Dallas.(Angela Piazza / Staff Photographer)
Police fired at the man after he “advanced” toward the officers, Comeaux said. He added that officers began rendering aid, including CPR.
Investigations and Reactions
Corbin Rubinson, a police spokesperson, declined to answer a list of questions about the shooting, including what less-than-lethal equipment police used. He deferred a reporter back to a news release police issued Wednesday afternoon.
After the shooting, police tape cordoned off the residential intersection of Fairview and St. Charles avenues, where officers congregated near a parked crime scene response vehicle.
The Dallas County district attorney’s office and the ​Dallas Office of Community Police Oversight are conducting investigations into the shooting.
During the news conference, Comeaux initially said the man “did not drop the gun” when instructed but corrected himself afterward, saying the man had a “long knife.”
Comeaux did not say whether the man was experiencing a mental health episode. The chief said the man was “causing himself harm” with the knife before the shooting.
Conclusion and Next Steps
Police will “release updated information in the coming days,” the Wednesday afternoon release states.
The shooting on Wednesday comes a day after Comeaux released body-camera footage captured by police who shot a man earlier this month in Deep Ellum.
Conclusion
The incident highlights the complexities and challenges faced by law enforcement in situations involving individuals who may be experiencing mental health crises or posing a threat to themselves or others. As investigations into the shooting continue, it is essential to consider the broader implications for police training, protocols, and community relationships.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What happened during the incident?
A: Dallas police fatally shot a man who had held a knife to his neck while kicking the door of a house in Old East Dallas. The man was transported to a hospital, where he died.
Q: What was the police response to the situation?
A: Officers used “less-than-lethal force” and shouted additional commands in an attempt to stop the man. When the man advanced toward the officers, they fired at him.
Q: Are there any investigations into the shooting?
A: Yes, the Dallas County district attorney’s office and the ​Dallas Office of Community Police Oversight are conducting investigations into the shooting.
Q: Will there be any updates on the incident?
A: Police will release updated information in the coming days, according to a Wednesday afternoon release.
