DeSoto police shoot man holding child who threatened to shoot officers
DESOTO, Texas - DeSoto police shot and killed a man who threatened to shoot officers while holding a child on Sunday morning.
Officers were called to Greenbriar Drive around 4 a.m. on Sunday for a man who was knocking on random doors and trespassing through front and back yards.
Neighbors told FOX 4 they were worried because the man was holding a child and the two women he was with were holding large backpacks and appeared to be in a frantic state.
"They said they needed help. They need a ride or an Uber, that was it. They were thirsty. We did give them a bottle of water," said Raeshaan Tanner who had the group knock on her back door.
The child, which was around one-year-old, only had a diaper on.
"That time of the morning nothing good is going on," said Tanner.
Tanner's husband escorted the group off the property and immediately called 911.
When officers arrived, they found the man holding a gun and the child.
DeSoto Police say the man threatened to shoot any officer that he encountered.
The group then ran toward a creek behind the homes. They eventually cut through Gerry Hall's backyard on Springbrook Drive.
"I have a temporary fence back there, and he knocked it down," said Hall.
Officers found the group about 30 minutes after the original call.
Police tried to negotiate with the man, but he refused to drop the gun or the child.
Fearing for the safety of the child, an officer with a rifle shot the man. Hall said he heard one shot.
He was pronounced dead at the scene. No officers were hurt.
"I’ve lived here for 30 years and never had any problems at all," said Hall. "I don’t like it in my neighborhood at all."
Police have not identified the man at this time.
Investigators took the two women in for questioning. The child was given to family members.
Police did not release any details about the connection between the group and the child.
The officer who fired at the suspect has been placed on paid leave, as part of department policy.
Grand Prarie Police and the Dallas County District Attorney's Office are both taking part in the investigation into the shooting.
DeSoto Police are expected to release more information on the incident once the suspect is identified.