OAK RIDGE NORTH, TX – A man, suspected of carrying out multiple robberies in the southeastern region of Texas, was fatally shot by law enforcement officers on Monday night. The shooting occurred after the officers, who were part of a joint task force, witnessed him robbing a liquor store, as stated by the authorities.
The identity of the man has not been disclosed yet. Officers had been keeping tabs on him before they observed him robbing a liquor store in Oak Ridge North at gunpoint, said Montgomery County District Attorney Brett Ligon.
In Ligon’s words, “A bad guy came into our community and robbed one of our businesses,” referring to the town situated about 30 miles north of Houston. Post the robbery, the officers attempted to arrest the man, but he managed to escape on foot in the strip mall where the liquor store is situated.
Ligon further added that the suspect brandished a weapon when he turned a corner, which led the officers, fearing for their lives, to discharge their weapons, resulting in the suspect’s death.
The District Attorney also informed that a report regarding the shooting will be submitted to a grand jury to ascertain if the officers’ actions were justified. The authorities have not disclosed whether the suspect fired any shots or the number of times the officers, comprising four Houston police officers, a Harris County sheriff’s deputy, and a Texas state trooper, used their firearms.
None of the officers were harmed during the incident, and all have been placed on paid leave pending the outcome of investigations into the shooting.