Search fatalities

Larry Wayne Harvey allegedly robbed a bank without violence. Police tracked Harvey to another location and tried to arrest him. Police claim that he pulled a gun. They shot and killed him.

https://www.kxii.com/2023/09/25/new-details-sherman-bank-robbery-suspect-killed-separate-officer-involved-shooting/

Seyedeh Mandana Moeini was on her way to work when a Galveston sergeant speeding to a call crashed into her, killing her. It is unknown whether the call had been urgent or not. When asked, police said they “did not know” whether the officer had his lights and sirens activated and police never gave feedback to media answering this question, making it seemingly likely that these precautions may not have been in place. Additionally, a neighbor who witnesses the loud noise of the crash said she was surprised that she heard no sirens before impact and realized that police had caused the crash without apparent warning. Sgt. McNeil was wearing a body camera but at the time of this update, more than a month after the crash, there is still no record of police having released the footage. Galveston PD owes both the family and the public some answers about this death.

https://abc13.com/galveston-police-department-christopher-mcneil-seyedeh-mandana-moeini-woman-killed-in-crash-with-officer/13814393/

Dimitri Humphrey allegedly killed the friend of a former girlfriend who was helping the girlfriend leave the abusive relationship. Humphrey fled and police chased him, ending in a shootout. Police shot and killed him.

https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2023/09/20/wanted-murder-suspect-down-after-gunfire-exchanged-with-law-enforcement-in-se-houston/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=565pcvt8lo8

https://abc13.com/murder-suspect-shootout-third-ward-shooting/13805615/

https://www.khou.com/article/news/crime/houston-museum-district-officer-involved-shooting/285-8ad88bf2-a708-4ae5-80d9-c0709f19135e

On 09/18/2023, Houston Police officers and a SWAT team went to 7907 Elwood Dr to serve an arrest warrant on Manuel Limas. During the attempted warrant service and active law enforcement presence, Limas shot himself in the head. He died from a self inflicted gunshot wound. Reporting confirmed one handgun involved. Authorities stated officers did not discharge their weapons during the incident.

https://www.khou.com/article/news/crime/suspect-shoots-himself-elwood-houston-texas/285-32d9914e-a360-4fb8-9f91-04613c0801f2
https://www.mytexasdaily.com/upper-gulf-coast/houston-man-commits-suicide-during-swat-team-arrest-attempt/article_9fb8f12b-94d1-53ae-998e-4a6b71957a96.html
https://cityofhouston.news/investigation-into-incident-at-7907-elwood-street/

Donna PD were called because an intoxicated man was firing his gun in his residence. He shot at police, hit some cruisers and locked himself in his home. DPS fired at Aguirre who shot back at them until he was dead.

https://www.krgv.com/news/dps-police-standoff-ends-with-death-of-donna-man/

Officer Costello of Woodville PD was sent on a call about a man causing a disturbance in the 200 block of Shivers Drive in Woodville. The man was identified as Reginal Owens, 41. Costello tried to make contact with him but he drove away. Costello chased Owens for several blocks. He tried to stop the vehicle again by blocking Owens into a private driveway, but Owens continued evading Costello. Officer Costello approached the driver's side and Owens allegedly shot him in the face and drove away. Police escalated a chase and saw him back near the 200 block of Shivers Drive. Several deputies and Woodville police officers set up a search perimeter and saw Owens exit the wooded area with a handgun in his waistband. "Police claim that he made an aggressive movement toward the handgun that was in his waistband," police alleged. They shot and killed him.

https://www.ktre.com/video/2023/09/18/deputies-kill-suspect-who-shot-woodville-officer-face/

https://www.ktre.com/2023/09/18/deputies-kill-suspect-who-shot-woodville-officer-face/

https://fox4beaumont.com/news/breaking-suspect-shot-and-killed-after-shooting-woodville-officer

https://www.12newsnow.com/article/news/crime/woodville-officer-involved-sunday-shooting/502-61f9d821-43df-43e3-9ee7-7bf473e78f2a

https://www.12newsnow.com/video/news/crime/officer-involved-shooting-leaves-officer-shot-in-the-face-suspect-dead/502-b494e539-3921-4f8b-8a67-6de9ea2dd330

San Antonio PD were called to a robbery at Nicha’s restaurant where a man allegedly had a machete. Police arrived and found Jesus Hernandez who had tried to steal a backpack belonging to an employee of the restaurant. Hernandez held a machete but was not threatening anyone and turned his back to walk away from officers. San Antonio officer Joshua Bagley pulled a gun and shot him in his back as he tried to leave. A heavily edited bodycam video was released and is linked below. It shows a man with a backpack and a machete who is nonconfrontational, turns to walk away without presenting any danger to police and is shot and killed.

https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2023/10/14/sapd-bodycam-videos-shows-officer-shooting-robbery-suspect-in-back-leading-to-his-death/

https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2023/09/17/suspect-wielding-large-knife-shot-killed-at-south-side-apartment-complex/

https://news4sanantonio.com/news/local/officer-involved-shooting-at-popular-san-antonio-restaurant-worries-south-side-community-police-investigation-handgun-knife-evidence

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQSytsd7RkQ

https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/man-shot-killed-by-police-while-allegedly-trying-to-rob-south-side-restaurant-sapd-san-antonio-texas-shooting/273-84a4b9fa-64d8-4be0-9abe-bbd5c39da3f9

On 09/15/2023, DeWitt County Sheriff’s deputies attempted to apprehend David Saldana at a residence on Von Haefn Rd in Cuero. During the law enforcement attempt to take him into custody, Saldana shot himself. He died from a self inflicted gunshot wound. Reporting described one firearm involved and confirmed the fatal act occurred during the active apprehension effort by deputies.

https://www.crossroadstoday.com/news/dewitt-county-sheriff-says-man-took-his-own-life-during-apprehension-attempt/article_f1f243d4-54b9-11ee-b89d-0b3a7131d553.html

Sidney Dotson, 37, was in a parking lot making suicidal statements and having a mental health crisis. He had a knife. He made no attempt to hurt anyone. Someone called police who appeared and shot and killed him.

His sister said he had been released from prison just 2 weeks prior and despite all of his efforts at re-entry, he had been unable to find work and housing and he was desperate without help. This is unfortunately a very common story and systemic failure to help people re-enter society after traumatic and exploitative incarceration.

https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/mckinney-texas-police-shooting-parking-lot-bumpass-street-monday-night-september-11/287-e1ddc292-afeb-49c6-9590-d1c66c13e0b8

El Paso PD were sent on a domestic violence call and found a man who was allegedly assaulting his wife. Police arrived and heard a woman pleading with a man inside. Police allege that the man did not want to communicate with them, instead made threats on the woman’s life and they decided to shoot and kill him. All reports make vague reference that he ”had a weapon” while police never clarified what the alleged weapon might have been. No bodycam was released and his identity was also not revealed by police. The degree of oversight into this case, if any exists, remains unclear.

https://cbs4local.com/newsletter-daily/a-49-year-old-man-from-east-el-paso-texas-dies-after-officer-involved-shooting-schooner-drive

Houston PD were chasing a carjacker. Several hours after the carjacking, police saw the vehicle on MLK and took up chase. Police claim they “stopped” the pursuit just before the crash. Surveillance video just moments before the crash showed police to still be pursuing. The vehicle was still fleeing from police and hit 3 cars, killing belioved church eldress Dr. Gloria G. Collins. The deceased woman was the mother of a Houston PD officer.

https://abc13.com/houston-police-chase-almeda-genoa-blackhawk-mlk-boulevard-crash/13748514/

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/crime/article/one-woman-left-dead-stolen-vehicle-crashed-se-18353053.php

https://abc13.com/gloria-collins-trenton-bevel-bond-set-hpd-sergeants-mom-killed/13772541/

https://abc13.com/trenton-bevel-hpd-sergeants-mom-killed-houston-murder-charge-police-chase/13754714/

During a traffic stop, Lee Allan Ellsbury first presented false ID, then ran away. Police allege the fleeing man fired several rounds at them. They shot and killed him. He had a simple warrant for driving without a license.

https://www.fox7austin.com/video/1274543

On 09/04/2023, McLennan County deputies responded to 962 Wagoner Road in the Gholson area near Waco after reports that multiple people had been shot. Leon Minniefield, 55, shot three individuals, who were reportedly connected to him and sustained injuries. When deputies arrived, they encountered Minniefield armed with a firearm. Authorities reported that an exchange of gunfire followed. Deputies opened fire and struck Minniefield. He died from gunshot wounds. Two firearms were reported in the incident. Deputies transported the three injured individuals for medical treatment. The Texas Rangers are investigating the shooting.

https://www.kwtx.com/2023/09/04/gholson-man-dead-following-shootout-with-authorities-3-others-injured/
https://www.fox44news.com/news/local-news/mclennan-county/3-people-shot-including-the-suspected-shooter-in-gholson/

San Antonio PD arrived to arrest Jacob String for 4 warrants for aggravated robbery. String allegedly fired at police who shot and killed him.

https://foxsanantonio.com/newsletter-daily/wanted-robbery-suspect-shot-dead-by-police-after-allegedly-shooting-at-officers-crime-victim-suspect-investigation-shooting-southeast-side

https://www.kens5.com/article/news/community/girlfriend-of-robbery-suspect-killed-by-sapd-in-pursuit-speaks-out/273-33979ec6-9265-4e00-96cc-691d35cea720

On 09/01/2023, Atascosa County deputies and other law enforcement officers located Edward Garcia on Interstate 37 near Mathis Road following a homicide investigation out of Corpus Christi. Authorities identified Garcia as a murder suspect and reported that he previously worked as a law enforcement officer with the Nueces County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office. Officers stopped his vehicle on I-37. Police stated Garcia exited wearing a ballistic vest and armed with a rifle. During the confrontation on the highway, officers opened fire and struck him. He died from gunshot wounds. Authorities reported one rifle was involved. Law enforcement shut down portions of I-37 during the incident. Multiple agencies responded, and the Texas Rangers are investigating the shooting.

https://news4sanantonio.com/newsletter-daily/murder-suspect-from-corpus-christi-killed-in-officer-involved-shooting-on-i-37-south-atascosa-county-texas-traffic-highway-sheriff#
https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2023/09/01/i-37-shut-down-in-atascosa-county-after-law-enforcement-kills-murder-suspect/
https://www.kztv10.com/news/local-news/corpus-christi-murder-suspect-dead-after-shootout-on-i-37-south-of-san-antonio

On 08/30/2023, at approximately 2:15 p.m., San Antonio Police Department Street Crimes Unit officers were conducting surveillance in the 6800 block of Cross Spring for Michael Kirkland, 40. SAPD said Kirkland was wanted on an active warrant for aggravated assault against a public servant. Police later said he also had other outstanding felony and misdemeanor warrants, including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Officers located Kirkland in a vehicle and attempted a traffic stop. Kirkland continued driving away. During the pursuit, he stopped long enough to allow a woman who was riding with him to get out of the vehicle, then continued driving. According to SAPD's subsequently released critical-incident video, Kirkland struck a marked police patrol vehicle, drove the wrong way on the Interstate 10 East access road and crashed into a civilian vehicle.
Kirkland got out of the crashed vehicle and ran while officers pursued him on foot. SAPD alleged that Kirkland fired multiple rounds toward the pursuing officers. One officer, subsequently identified as Officer J. Owen, an eight-year SAPD veteran assigned to the Street Crimes Unit, was struck in the arm. Two officers returned fire as Kirkland continued running down a grassy embankment toward the main lanes of Interstate 10.
According to police, Kirkland reached the interstate and attempted to obtain another vehicle while continuing to fire his gun. SAPD alleged that he pointed and fired at passing motorists while attempting to carjack them. Police said one woman refused to surrender her vehicle and Kirkland fired at her; she was not struck.
Two SAPD officers exchanged additional gunfire with Kirkland on Interstate 10. Police gunfire struck Kirkland, and he died at the scene. Officer Owen was transported to a hospital in stable condition. The shooting and investigation resulted in an hours-long closure of Interstate 10 around South New Braunfels Avenue.
On 09/23/2023, SAPD released its critical-incident video of the encounter. The release included body-camera footage showing the vehicle pursuit, Kirkland running from police, exchanges of gunfire and the final shooting on Interstate 10. SAPD stated that the Bexar County District Attorney's Office was reviewing the police shooting.
Kirkland's death became part of a broader public dispute between SAPD Chief William McManus, the San Antonio Police Officers Association and Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales over people accused of violent crimes who remained in the community. Gonzales publicly reviewed seven cases involving Kirkland dating from 2019 through 2023. Several had been dismissed because prosecutors could not locate or obtain cooperation from complainants or witnesses, while another evading case was dismissed because prosecutors reported that law enforcement had not provided video needed to establish the pursuit.
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OFFICER BACKGROUND
Officer Owen has a significant disciplinary history:
2019 — 27-day suspension. SAPD disciplined Jason Owen after he used a homophobic slur and profanity toward a man while clearing a crowd on Southeast Military Drive. The investigation also found that Owen failed to activate his body camera for the first seven minutes of the encounter.
2022 — 15-day suspension. Owen was riding with Officer Anthony Brown when their marked patrol car, traveling about 71 mph, collided with another vehicle. The officers continued driving without stopping to check on the people in the other car. Investigators also found that Owen turned off the patrol vehicle's in-car recording system multiple times, turned off his body camera while speaking with another officer, and failed to report Brown's policy violations to a supervisor.
2024 — another 5-day suspension. SAPD found Owen had been working an unreported off-duty job as a courtesy officer at his apartment complex while on limited-duty status. Records say he improperly accessed department calls-for-service information in connection with that work, failed to obtain the required permit for the outside employment, and failed to report his change of address.

https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2023/08/30/sapd-shuts-down-part-of-i-10-on-east-side-due-to-active-crime-scene/
https://www.fox7austin.com/news/suspect-dead-after-shootout-with-san-antonio-police-on-i-10
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Z0unZVsBk8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maQ7F3hDIHs
https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2023/09/23/video-bodycam-captures-moment-man-was-fatally-shot-after-opening-fire-on-drivers-police/
https://www.tpr.org/criminal-justice/2023-08-30/police-firefight-with-suspect-on-i-10-leaves-suspect-dead-officer-wounded
https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/michael-kirkland-jacob-string-san-antonio-sapd-18385623.php
https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2023/08/31/district-attorney-addresses-criticism-from-sapd-chief-sapoa-about-habitual-offenders-on-the-streets/

On 08/28/2023, at approximately 10:30 p.m., a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper conducted a traffic stop on John Luther Stanford, 39, on U.S. Highway 259 in Gregg County. Stanford continued driving away and the trooper pursued him for approximately 10 miles into Harrison County. The vehicle pursuit ended on FM 450 in the Harleton area.
Stanford stopped the vehicle, got out and ran into a wooded area while the DPS trooper pursued. DPS alleged that Stanford fired a handgun at the trooper as he ran. The trooper returned fire, resulting in an exchange of gunfire during the foot pursuit. Stanford continued farther into the wooded area.
Stanford was subsequently located dead in the woods. Initial DPS information described his death as occurring following the exchange of gunfire with the trooper, but a later DPS investigative report provided the crucial clarification that the trooper's gunfire did not kill Stanford. Investigators determined that Stanford sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

https://www.kltv.com/2023/08/31/one-person-dead-officer-involved-shooting-harrison-county/
https://www.kltv.com/2023/09/13/texas-dps-report-shows-trooper-not-responsible-death-avinger-man-august-shooting/
https://www.gilmermirror.com/2023/08/31/texas-department-of-public-safety-officer-involved-shooting-harrison-county-8-28-23/
https://everloved.com/life-of/john-luther-stanford/obituary/

On 08/30/2023, San Antonio Police Department property-crime detectives were conducting surveillance of a stolen vehicle that police believed was connected to multiple vehicle burglaries. Detectives followed the vehicle during the day and were waiting for marked patrol officers and an SAPD helicopter to assist when the vehicle entered the Home Depot parking lot in the 600 block of Southwest Loop 410 on San Antonio's West Side at approximately 9:40 p.m. Victor Andres Fernandes, 21, was inside the vehicle with another man.
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Officers positioned police vehicles around the car in an attempt to prevent it from leaving. Fernandes got out and ran through the parking lot while officers pursued him on foot. The other man got out and surrendered to police.
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SAPD alleged that while Fernandes was running, he reached into his clothing and retrieved a handgun. Plainclothes Detective John Helle and uniformed Officer Christopher Gaige Wesch were involved in the foot pursuit. Helle drew his handgun while running behind Fernandes.
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During the pursuit, a single gunshot was heard and Helle fell to the ground with a gunshot wound to his torso. Initial reporting created the impression that Helle had been shot by Fernandes. SAPD subsequently disclosed that Helle had accidentally shot himself. Fernandes had not fired at Helle or any other officer during the pursuit.
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After Helle shot himself, Wesch saw Helle fall and continued pursuing Fernandes. SAPD alleged that Fernandes was still running with a handgun in his hand. Wesch then fired multiple rounds at Fernandes, striking him multiple times. Critically, SAPD's later critical-incident reconstruction acknowledged that Fernandes never fired his gun at police during the encounter.
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Fernandes fell in the Home Depot parking lot. Officers provided medical assistance, but he died at the scene. The Bexar County Medical Examiner subsequently identified him as Victor Andres Fernandes, 21.
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The police shooting occurred during an extraordinary period in which numerous SAPD officers had recently been shot or injured. Fernandes' killing was the second fatal SAPD shooting on August 30 alone. Earlier that day, police killed Michael Kirkland following a separate pursuit and gunfire on Interstate 10.
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SAPD released dash-camera and body-camera footage on 09/23/2023. The footage clarified a major point that was obscured in the initial reporting: the officer wounded during the encounter had not been shot by Fernandes. Helle accidentally discharged his own firearm while running. Wesch subsequently shot Fernandes as Fernandes continued running. Police maintained that Fernandes had a handgun in his hand, but acknowledged that he never fired it at officers.A major later development occurred on 08/13/2025, when Fernandes' father, Victor Fernandes Sr., individually and on behalf of his son's estate, filed a federal civil-rights lawsuit against Christopher Wesch, thereby publicly identifying Wesch as the officer whose gunfire killed Fernandes. The lawsuit, Fernandes, Sr. v. Wesch, was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas under 42 U.S.C. §1983.
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The federal lawsuit remains active. Wesch filed an answer and demanded a jury trial. U.S. District Judge Xavier Rodriguez entered a scheduling order setting a final pretrial conference for 02/11/2027 and jury selection and trial for 02/22/2027. Discovery was scheduled through April 2026, and in January 2026 the court granted an extension of the parties' expert-disclosure deadlines.
OFFICER BACKGROUND:
Christopher Gaige Wesch is the SAPD officer identified in the 2025 federal civil-rights lawsuit as the officer who shot Fernandes. City employment records show Wesch entered San Antonio city employment as a police cadet in 2019 and was listed as a police officer from 2020 forward. He remained listed as an SAPD officer in 2024.
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Fernandes' father and estate sued Wesch personally in federal court on 08/13/2025 under 42 U.S.C. §1983 in connection with Fernandes' death. The case is Fernandes, Sr. v. Wesch, No. 5:25-cv-00992, Western District of Texas. Wesch answered the complaint on 10/06/2025 and requested a jury trial. The litigation remains pending, with trial currently scheduled for February 2027.
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John Helle was the plainclothes property-crime detective involved in the foot pursuit but was not the officer identified in the federal case as Fernandes' shooter. Helle was a 10-year SAPD veteran at the time. He accidentally discharged his own handgun while running, shooting himself in the torso and requiring hospitalization. SAPD did not publicly disclose until two days later that Helle's wound was self-inflicted.

https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2023/08/31/shooting-at-west-side-home-depot-draws-heavy-police-response/
https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/shooting-on-southeast-side-shuts-down-westbound-lanes-of-i-10
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Z0unZVsBk8
https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2023/09/01/man-fatally-shot-by-sapd-officer-in-home-depot-parking-lot-identified/
https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2023/09/23/sapd-releases-body-camera-video-of-foot-chase-where-deputy-accidentally-shot-himself-suspect-killed/
https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/michael-kirkland-jacob-string-san-antonio-sapd-18385623.php
https://www.expressnews.com/news/article/sapd-shootings-injured-cops-explained-18364587.php
https://dockets.justia.com/docket/texas/txwdce/5%3A2025cv00992/1172859187

On 08/26/2023, at approximately 6:34 a.m., Beeville Police Department officers responded to the 900 block of West Jones Street. When officers arrived, someone at the scene flagged them down and told them that a man at the residence was experiencing a mental health crisis. Two uniformed Beeville officers approached the residence while the man was yelling from inside.
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The officers attempted to communicate with the man and persuade him to come onto the porch. According to the police account released by the City of Beeville, as officers moved closer they saw that the man was holding a knife and ordered him to drop it.
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Police alleged that the man then came through the front window of the residence and moved toward the officers while holding the knife. Both officers retreated and again ordered him to drop the weapon.
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The officer closest to the man deployed a department-issued Taser. Police reported that the Taser had no apparent effect and alleged that the man continued moving toward the officers with the knife.
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According to the police account, when the man came within approximately three to six feet of the lead officer, that officer fired three rounds. The gunfire struck the man in the torso.
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The officers requested emergency medical assistance and began lifesaving measures at the scene. EMS transported the man to CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital in Beeville, where he was pronounced dead.
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Beeville Police Chief Kevin Behr requested that the Texas Rangers take over the criminal investigation into the fatal police shooting. Beeville Police Department simultaneously opened a separate internal-affairs investigation. The officer who fired the fatal shots was placed on administrative leave under department policy.
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Beeville Police Department's 2023 annual report subsequently documented this as the department's single fatal police shooting of the year. The report states that six Beeville officers were assaulted during 2023, two assaults involved a deadly weapon, and one resulted in a police shooting that killed the person involved.
OFFICER BACKGROUND:
The Beeville police officer who fired the three shots that killed the man was not identified by name in the public accounts located for this update. The department confirmed that the shooting officer was placed on administrative leave while the Texas Rangers conducted the criminal investigation and Beeville Police conducted its internal review.

https://www.kristv.com/news/local-news/beeville-officer-involved-shooting-leaves-one-man-dead
https://www.beevilletx.gov/departments/PoliceDepartment/PoliceAnnualReports
https://www.beevilletx.gov/media/Departments/Police/Annual%20Reports/Annual%20Report%202023.pdf

Police reports say a driver who was being chased stopped in Dallas on eastbound Interstate 20 near South Polk. But police say before he could be arrested, he died by suicide. Police did not publicly identify him and did not say why they were chasing him.

https://www.audacy.com/krld/news/local/man-pursued-by-police-from-grand-prairie-into-dallas-commits

On 08/24/2023, shortly after midnight, a Rockwall County Sheriff’s Office deputy was responding to an unrelated call along the Interstate 30 service road near T.L. Townsend Drive when the deputy observed three vehicles stopped together with their headlights off. The deputy notified another Rockwall County deputy about the vehicles.
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The second deputy located the three vehicles as they traveled north on T.L. Townsend Drive. According to the Sheriff’s Office, the deputy observed the vehicles commit several traffic violations and activated the patrol vehicle's emergency lights in an attempt to stop them. The three vehicles then separated and traveled in different directions.
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The deputy pursued a black Dodge Charger driven by Willie Lee Rankin III. The pursuit proceeded north on State Highway 205 from Rockwall County and then west on State Highway 78 through Wylie and Sachse toward Garland.
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Authorities subsequently determined that the Dodge Charger had been reported stolen from Lewisville. The Rockwall County Sheriff’s Office said investigators believed all three vehicles initially encountered by the deputies were stolen.
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As Rankin attempted to enter the President George Bush Turnpike in Garland, he lost control of the Charger. The vehicle left the roadway and struck a concrete barrier. Rankin and a female passenger were both fatally injured.
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Rankin died as a result of the crash. The female passenger was transported from the scene and subsequently died from her injuries. Because both deaths resulted from the same Rockwall County Sheriff’s Office pursuit, each decedent requires a separate database record.
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Contemporary reporting initially withheld both victims' identities pending notification of their families. Later secondary reporting identified the driver as Willie Lee Rankin III. The original law-enforcement account did not publicly identify the pursuing deputy.
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OFFICER BACKGROUND:
The Rockwall County Sheriff’s Office deputy who pursued Rankin from Rockwall County through Wylie and Sachse and into Garland was not publicly identified in the reporting located for this update.
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https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/garland-rockwall-texas-chase-2-people-killed-dodge-charger/287-a6a54ddd-05a8-4cf1-9287-515909984da8
https://sweetjames.com/2023/09/05/willie-lee-rankin-iii-1-woman-killed-high-speed-pursuit-state-highway-78-garlandtx/
https://www.dallasnews.com/news/crime/2023/08/24/2-dead-after-rockwall-county-deputy-chase-ends-with-crash-in-garland-media-reports/

On 08/24/2023, shortly after midnight, a Rockwall County Sheriff’s Office deputy responding to an unrelated call noticed three vehicles stopped together with their headlights off along the Interstate 30 service road near T.L. Townsend Drive in Rockwall. The deputy notified another deputy about the vehicles.
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The second deputy located the three vehicles traveling north on T.L. Townsend Drive. According to the Rockwall County Sheriff’s Office, the deputy observed several traffic violations and activated emergency lights to initiate a traffic stop. The three vehicles separated and drove in different directions, and the deputy pursued a black Dodge Charger.
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The Dodge Charger was driven by Willie Lee Rankin III. The pursuit continued north on State Highway 205 and west on State Highway 78 through Wylie and Sachse toward Garland. Authorities subsequently determined that the Charger had been reported stolen from Lewisville and said investigators believed the other two vehicles were also stolen.
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The pursuit continued into Garland. As Rankin attempted to enter the President George Bush Turnpike from State Highway 78, he lost control of the Charger. The vehicle struck a concrete barrier and crashed. Rankin was killed in the collision.
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An unidentified female passenger in the Charger was critically injured. She was transported to a hospital, where she subsequently died from her injuries. Contemporary reporting did not publicly identify her.
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The available contemporary reporting identifies Rankin as the driver and the woman as his passenger. A much later secondary accident-report article published under the name of a personal-injury law firm identifies a 24-year-old Michael Madrid as one of the people killed and describes a woman as the driver. That account conflicts with the contemporary reporting and does not identify the official record on which its different identification is based.
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https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/garland-rockwall-texas-chase-2-people-killed-dodge-charger/287-a6a54ddd-05a8-4cf1-9287-515909984da8
https://sweetjames.com/2023/09/05/willie-lee-rankin-iii-1-woman-killed-high-speed-pursuit-state-highway-78-garlandtx/

On 08/20/2023, at approximately 2:07 p.m., Amarillo Police Department officers went to the Relax Inn at 6030 Interstate 40 West to arrest 45-year-old Timothy R. Murray on a felony parole-violation warrant. Murray remained inside a hotel room and would not come out. Other people who had been inside the room exited safely.
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Police attempted to negotiate with Murray, who initially communicated with officers but stopped responding after several hours. The Amarillo Police Department Critical Incident Response Team and negotiators responded as the encounter developed into a barricade and standoff.
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Police fired a chemical agent into the hotel room in an attempt to force Murray outside. Officers subsequently heard several gunshots from inside the room. Police continued attempts to communicate with Murray but received no response.
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The Critical Incident Response Team deployed a robot into the room. The robot opened a window, allowing police to send a drone inside. The drone located Murray unresponsive in the bathroom.
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Police entered and found Murray dead in the bathroom from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The Amarillo Police Department Criminal Investigations Division investigated the death.

https://www.myhighplains.com/news/local-news/amarillo-police-cirt-swat-at-local-hotel-on-barricaded-subject/

On 08/11/2023, at approximately 8:45 p.m., a Mesquite Police Department officer attempted to stop a silver Honda Pilot on West Scyene Road near Gross Road. The reason for the attempted traffic stop was not publicly disclosed. The driver continued driving away while the officer pursued. During the approximately three-minute pursuit, the SUV reached speeds approaching 100 mph, drove on the shoulder to pass traffic, struck multiple vehicles, and hit a street sign.
The pursuit ended when the Honda came to a stop in the front yard of a residence in the 1700 block of Carnation Drive. The driver got out of the SUV. Body-camera and dash-camera video show the officer repeatedly ordering him to stop and get on the ground. The driver instead opened the left rear door and reached into the vehicle, allegedly causing officers to fear for their lives. Within seconds, the officer fired five rounds, striking him. Officers rendered medical aid until paramedics arrived, but he died at a hospital. He had been unarmed.
On 08/18/2023, Mesquite Police identified the deceased as Pablo Cato Garcia, 16. The department also released dash-camera and body-camera footage of the incident. Investigators reported recovering a .45-caliber Taurus handgun from the driver's compartment of the Honda. The incident was investigated by the Dallas County District Attorney's Office together with the Mesquite Police Department's Internal Affairs Division.

https://www.fox4news.com/news/mesquite-officer-involved-shooting-police-chase

https://www.dallasnews.com/news/crime/2023/08/18/driver-killed-by-mesquite-officer-after-chase-was-a-16-year-old-boy-police-say/

https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/mesquite-police-release-dash-body-cameras-of-shooting-that-killed-16-year-old/3319815/

On 08/09/2023, at approximately 8:45 p.m., Amarillo Police Department officers responded to the area of Southwest 48th Avenue and Cline Road after receiving a report of a domestic disturbance. Officers were told that 39-year-old Daniel M. Smith was in an alley south of the residence.
Officers located Smith in a vehicle and maneuvered patrol units around it in an attempt to prevent him from leaving. According to police, Smith reversed his vehicle into one patrol unit, nearly striking an officer who was inside. Smith then drove forward, pushing another patrol vehicle into a shed and fence. During the encounter, one Amarillo police officer fired at Smith. Officers removed Smith from the vehicle and began emergency medical treatment until Amarillo Medical Services arrived. Smith was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The Amarillo Police Department Homicide Unit investigated the shooting and processed the scene. Smith's next of kin was notified before his identity was released. Public reporting identified Smith as the only person struck by gunfire during the encounter.
OFFICER HISTORY:
The Amarillo Police Department did not publicly identify the officer who fired the fatal shot.

https://www.amarillo.com/story/news/2023/08/10/amarillo-suspect-dies-after-officer-involved-shooting-during-pursuit/70566009007/
https://www.newschannel10.com/2023/08/10/amarillo-police-department-responding-officer-involved-shooting/

On 08/09/2023, shortly after midnight, Houston Police Department officers attempted to stop a black Honda Pilot after a 911 caller reported a possible intoxicated driver in the 10600 block of Westheimer Road. The driver continued driving away while officers pursued northbound on the West Sam Houston Parkway service road. During the pursuit, the SUV reversed direction near Little York Road. A Texas Department of Public Safety helicopter joined the pursuit, and Houston police officers reduced their involvement as the helicopter tracked the vehicle from the air.
As the SUV exited toward Bellaire Boulevard, the driver lost control at a high rate of speed. The vehicle rolled several times on the service road, ejecting the 22-year-old female passenger. Houston Fire Department personnel pronounced her dead at the scene. The 32-year-old driver suffered critical injuries and was transported to a hospital. Investigators reported finding beer cans inside the SUV, and officers stated the driver showed signs of impairment. Speeds during the pursuit exceeded 100 mph.
Houston Police stated the pursuit lasted approximately 13 minutes. The investigation was assigned to the HPD Vehicular Crimes Division. Investigators indicated the driver could face felony murder and evading arrest charges in connection with the passenger's death. At the time of the initial investigation, the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences had not publicly released the passenger's identity.

https://abc13.com/deadly-police-chase-crash-passenger-killed-hpd-ends-in-rollover-west-beltway-fatal/13622559/

https://cw39.com/news/local/1-dead-after-car-flips-over-following-police-pursuit-on-sam-houston-parkway-hpd-says/

https://www.fox26houston.com/news/houston-police-chase-ends-in-crash-passenger-dead-driver-in-critical-condition

https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2023/08/09/1-dead-after-suspected-drunken-driver-leads-police-on-high-speed-chase-in-west-houston/

A person crashed into 3 cars and committed suicide after the crash. It is unknown what role police played in this.

https://www.bigcountryhomepage.com/traffic/police-man-found-dead-from-gunshot-wound-after-abilene-crash-was-not-officer-involved-shooting/

On 08/07/2023, members of the U.S. North Texas Fugitive Task Force located 36-year-old Corey Wayne Thomas inside a pickup truck in the 3700 block of South Tyler Street. Thomas was wanted on a Dallas murder warrant in connection with the July 24, 2023, fatal shooting of Jason Salazar. Task force officers attempted to arrest him after blocking the vehicle. According to investigators, Thomas pointed a handgun toward the officers. Four task force officers fired their service weapons, striking Thomas. He was transported to a hospital, where he died from his injuries. A handgun was recovered from the truck.
On 08/08/2023, one of the officers who fired his weapon, Dallas Police Officer Matthew Bacon, died by suicide. Bacon had served with the Dallas Police Department for 18 years and was assigned to the U.S. North Texas Fugitive Task Force at the time of the shooting. Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia stated that no one recognized signs that Bacon was in immediate crisis following the incident.

https://www.fox4news.com/news/suspect-killed-by-task-force-officers-in-dallas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yi8ZuxN3KNk

https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/murder-suspect-killed-in-officer-involved-shooting-in-dallas/

https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/man-killed-by-mesquite-police-officer-after-crashing-into-multiple-vehicles-during-a-chase-friday/3315404/

On 08/07/2023, Gilberto Sotelo was refueling his disabled pickup truck on the shoulder of southbound Interstate 215, south of State Route 91, in Riverside when he was struck by a Honda Ridgeline driven by Giovanni Ceja, an off-duty Bexar County (Texas) Sheriff's Office correctional corporal who was visiting family in California. Investigators alleged Ceja had consumed multiple alcoholic beverages before driving. Sotelo died at the scene, and the driver fled without stopping to render aid.
California Highway Patrol investigators identified Ceja through vehicle debris left at the scene. He was arrested in Texas on 08/14/2023 by the Bexar County Sheriff's Office on a California warrant. Ceja resigned from the sheriff's office following his arrest and was dishonorably discharged. He was later extradited to California and charged with second-degree murder, DUI-related offenses, and felony hit-and-run causing death.

https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2023/08/16/texas-sheriffs-corporal-arrested-on-suspicion-of-fatal-hit-and-run-crash-in-riverside/

On 08/05/2023, at approximately 11:20 p.m., San Antonio Police Department officers attempted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Bianca Marie Sanchez. Sanchez continued driving away at a slow speed through nearby neighborhoods. Officers discontinued their emergency lights and followed the vehicle onto the Interstate 10 access road and then the eastbound access road of NW Loop 410.
Sanchez approached an exit ramp, turned left into the eastbound lanes of NW Loop 410, and nearly stopped in the far-right lane. Officers continued following without emergency lights. Sanchez then turned left across multiple lanes of traffic and was struck by a pickup truck. The San Antonio Fire Department forced open the driver's door and attempted CPR, but Sanchez died at the scene. The pickup driver was not reported to have suffered serious injuries. The Bexar County Medical Examiner identified the decedent on August 11, 2023. The investigation remained ongoing.

https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2023/08/06/driver-dies-in-crash-while-evading-police-on-north-side-sapd-says/
https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2023/08/11/authorities-identify-woman-who-died-during-pursuit-with-sapd/
https://www.ktsa.com/bexar-county-medical-examiner-identifies-woman-who-crashed-died-while-trying-to-avoid-being-pulled-over-by-police/

On 08/05/2023, Arlington police officers responded to the 4100 block of April Drive after reports of a suicidal woman. Officers deployed SWAT resources and established a perimeter around the residence. The woman remained inside while officers attempted to negotiate during the standoff. During the confrontation with law enforcement outside, the woman shot herself. She died from the self-inflicted gunshot wound. Authorities reported one firearm was involved. The Arlington Police Department is reviewing the incident.

https://dfwscanner.net/2023/08/06/suicidal-woman-prompts-swat-callout-to-arlington-neighborhood/

On 08/05/2023, San Antonio Police Department officers attempted to stop Mario Perez after receiving a report that he had assaulted another person. Perez continued driving away, and officers pursued him onto Loop 410 near Highway 90. During the pursuit, Perez drove into oncoming traffic and collided head-on with a pickup truck. He died at the scene. The pickup driver suffered minor injuries. Authorities continued investigating the pursuit and fatal crash.

https://news4sanantonio.com/news/local/suspect-killed-after-colliding-with-pickup-truck-on-highway-crime-victim-chase-police-officers-loop-410

On 08/04/2023, at approximately 4:54 p.m., Houston Police Department officers responded to a reported burglary at a residence in the 2900 block of Woodland Grove Drive after the homeowner, who was away from the house, saw two men entering through a security camera. When Officer Kevin Ipina arrived, Julio Alberto Sifuentes and another man ran from the residence in different directions. Officer Ipina pursued Sifuentes through several backyards before catching up with him.
During a struggle, Sifuentes produced a handgun. Officer Ipina fired his service weapon, striking Sifuentes in the head. Officers rendered medical aid, but Sifuentes died at the scene. The second man, Lewis Ramirez Jr., was arrested a short time later and charged with burglary of a habitation.
Houston Police later released body-camera footage showing the foot pursuit and struggle. The video showed Sifuentes holding a handgun during the encounter. Officer Kevin Ipina was initially placed on administrative duty following the shooting and later returned to regular duty while the internal investigation continued.

https://abc13.com/hpd-officer-kills-suspect-kingwood-burglary-woodland-grove-houston-shots-fired/13600139/

https://abc13.com/hpd-officer-kills-suspect-ipina-julio-alberto-sifuentes-body-cam-video-woodland-grove/13726582/

https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/houston-police-julio-alberto-sifuentes-body-cam-18343511.php

On 08/02/2023, Montgomery County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a disturbance in the 1500 block of Lake Robbins Drive in The Woodlands. When deputies arrived, the man drove away at a high rate of speed. Deputies pursued the vehicle until the driver lost control, left the roadway, and crashed on the embankment of the Woodlands Parkway Bridge. The driver, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. He was the only occupant of the vehicle. The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office Homicide and Violent Crimes Unit, Crime Scene Investigators, and the Texas Department of Public Safety investigated the crash. The driver's identity was withheld pending notification of next of kin, and no later public identification could be confirmed.

https://abc13.com/suspect-dies-in-chase-crashes-and-during-the-woodlands-crash-parkway-bridge/13592617/

https://www.khou.com/article/news/crime/police-chase-crash-the-woodlands-texas/285-d0b0cf4b-4e5a-43af-88f3-ebbe3005300d

https://www.fox26houston.com/news/montgomery-county-chase-starts-in-the-woodlands-ends-in-deadly-crash

On 07/31/2023, investigators with the Texas Anti-Gang Center and the Lubbock Police Department received a tip that 40-year-old Christopher Carter was staying at the Stadium Motel in the 4100 block of 19th Street. Carter was the subject of an arrest warrant in the homicide investigation of 18-year-old Lakaria Moore. Investigators established surveillance on the motel room beginning at approximately 10:30 a.m. Shortly before 1:40 p.m., officers attempted to have Carter exit the room. Another man exited instead and told officers that Carter had shot himself. Officers entered the room and found Carter dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The investigation into Carter's death was handled by the Lubbock Police Department. Following his death, investigators continued their homicide investigation into Lakaria Moore's killing. On August 2, 2023, police arrested Tahdeejah Washington-Harris on a charge of hindering the apprehension or prosecution of a known felon, alleging she had helped Carter avoid arrest for approximately two weeks by providing hotel rooms and money. She was later indicted by a Lubbock County grand jury.

https://www.kcbd.com/2023/07/31/murder-suspect-christopher-carter-found-dead-lubbock-motel/

On 07/27/2023, Houston Police Department officers attempted to stop a vehicle that had been reported stolen. The driver, later identified as 20-year-old Joseph Higinio Arreaga, continued driving while police pursued him through southwest Houston. The pursuit ended in the 6600 block of Hillcroft Avenue when the vehicle left the roadway and crashed through a fence. Arreaga got out of the vehicle and ran from the scene on foot, with Officers J. George and B. Taveras pursuing him.
According to Houston Police, Arreaga produced a semiautomatic handgun during the foot pursuit and pointed it toward the officers. Officers George and Taveras fired, striking him multiple times. Officers rendered first aid until Houston Fire Department personnel arrived. Arreaga was transported to Ben Taub Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. A handgun was recovered at the scene.
The Houston Police Department Special Investigations Unit, Internal Affairs Division, and the Harris County District Attorney's Office investigated the shooting. Body-worn camera footage was later released by the department. Arreaga's identity was not released immediately after the shooting but was later confirmed through the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.

https://abc13.com/chase-suspect-shot-houston-police-pursuit-hpd-involved-shooting-officers-open-fire/13562459/

On 07/27/2023, Alton Police Department officers attempted to stop a vehicle driven by 39-year-old Bruce Theodore Garcia. Authorities did not publicly disclose the reason for the attempted traffic stop. Garcia continued driving while police pursued him through Alton. The pursuit continued onto Los Ebanos Road near Mile 5 Road, where Garcia lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle struck the embankment of an irrigation canal and overturned into the canal.
Emergency responders recovered Garcia from the submerged vehicle and transported him to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The Texas Department of Public Safety assisted with the investigation into the crash.
Garcia's death prompted local reporting because Alton Police did not publicly explain why officers initiated the pursuit before the fatal crash.

https://myrgv.com/local-news/2023/07/27/man-chased-by-alton-police-dies-after-crashing-into-canal-embankment/

On 07/27/2023, at approximately 2:00 p.m., Groves Police Department officers responded to the 2800 block of Main Street after receiving reports that 60-year-old David Wilson Guilbeau was behaving erratically while carrying a handgun. According to investigators, officers encountered Guilbeau outside the residence and repeatedly ordered him to drop the weapon. Police stated that Guilbeau waved or pointed the handgun during the encounter, and officers fired, striking him. Guilbeau was pronounced dead at the scene. The Texas Rangers assumed responsibility for investigating the shooting.
Family members said Guilbeau's behavior was completely out of character and believed he was experiencing a mental health crisis. They described him as a kind, nonviolent man who was well known for helping others and expressed shock that the encounter ended in a fatal shooting. Relatives questioned whether additional efforts could have been made to de-escalate the situation before deadly force was used.

https://www.12newsnow.com/article/news/local/texas-rangers-called-to-scene-of-officer-involved-shooting-in-groves-thursday-afternoon/502-b5b977f8-ee1b-4dd4-8b23-96773239bc39

https://www.12newsnow.com/article/news/local/identity-groves-man-killed-officer-involved-shooting-revealed/502-87cf6036-4506-456b-aec3-17868d7ad0b8

Austin PD responded to a 911 call and found a woman knocking on doors. She was being chased by a man with a knife. Police tasered the man twice. An officer then shot and killed him.

https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/apd-officer-involved-in-shooting-in-south-austin/

https://www.fox7austin.com/video/1251619

https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/police-release-body-cam-footage-of-fatal-officer-involved-shooting-at-south-austin-apartment-complex

https://www.fox7austin.com/news/body-cam-footage-9-1-1-call-released-officer-involved-shooting-south-austin-texas

On 07/20/2023, Austin Police Department officers responded to an apartment complex in the 2300 block of Douglas Street after a 911 caller reported that a man armed with a knife was chasing a woman. Officers located the woman, who said James Woodrome had threatened her with a knife. Officers then encountered Woodrome holding a knife in a nearby courtyard.
Officers repeatedly ordered Woodrome to drop the knife. Officer John Ricker and Probationary Officer Arlene Lozano each deployed a Taser, but Woodrome continued holding the knife and advanced. According to police, Woodrome also stated that he wanted officers to shoot him. Officer Adam Reinhart fired his service weapon, striking Woodrome. Officers rendered medical aid until Austin-Travis County EMS arrived, but Woodrome was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Austin Police Department identified Officer Adam Reinhart as the officer who fired the fatal shots. Officers John Ricker and Arlene Lozano were identified as deploying Tasers. The officers were placed on administrative leave while the criminal and administrative investigations proceeded, consistent with department policy.

http://www.derbyinformer.com/news/national/us-officer-involved-shooting-in-south-austin-tx/video_923d415a-dcad-50a0-ac62-144aa291172c.html