March 18 , 2006

OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING

Midland Police were called to the Metro Inn, 3708 W. Wall at approximately 12:05 p.m. today, Saturday, March 18, 2006.  A woman reported a disturbance between another female and her common law husband.  When the officer arrived on scene, the women pointed to the man in the parking lot.  As the officer approached him, the subject pulled out a knife.  The officer drew his weapon and directed the male to drop the knife.  The man ran down the street, behind the motel to a nearby antique store and went inside.  The officer followed in pursuit. 

Once inside the store, the officer demanded the man drop the knife.  The subject made it clear to the officer that he would not surrender, holding the knife to his own throat.  Five other officers entered the store.  Four persons inside the store went to a back room and were not involved or harmed.  One officer fired his less lethal weapon at the man twice.  This weapon discharges 1” by 1” beanbags that normally knock the wind out of a subject.  Another officer in the store then fired his sage gun.  This less lethal device is discharges a hard rubber projectile.  Then the officer fired the originally used less lethal device once more.  All struck the subject but did not take him down.  The man became agitated further and began throwing items in the store at the officers.  At one point, the man threw something through the window and then ran through the glass.  He was still holding the knife when he came through the glass.  Two officers staged outside the store fired their weapons, a service duty handgun and a rifle, at the subject.  The man went down.  This occurred at approximately 12:20 p.m.  It is unknown how many shots were fired. 

EMS was already on scene and transported the man to Midland Memorial Hospital.  He was pronounced dead at approximately 12:45 p.m.  His name is being withheld until next of kin is notified.  An autopsy will be performed in Dallas.

As part of normal procedure, the M.P.D. Shoot Team is conducting an investigation and the Texas Rangers will conduct a separate investigation.  The Shoot Team investigates any incident where an officer discharges a weapon inside the city limits.  The two officers that fired their weapons outside the store are being placed on Administrative Suspension with pay pending the outcome of the investigation.  They are patrol officer Chris Earp, with MPD for nine years, and patrol officer Tye Box, with the MPD for three years.  This is normal procedure in an officer involved shooting and does not mean the officers did anything wrong in the course of duty.  The investigation will determine if there was any wrongdoing.

The last time an M.P.D. officer used deadly force was in February 2004.

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