A male suspect is dead following an early morning officer-involved shooting in DeSoto. Police were initially called to the 1100 block of Greenbriar Drive shortly after 4:00 AM on Sunday after receiving reports of an unidentified armed Hispanic male knocking on random residential doors and trespassing through front and back yards. The man was carrying a small child and was accompanied by two women.
Upon arrival, officers encountered the suspect, who was armed with a handgun and holding the child. The man threatened to shoot any police officer he encountered. Officers attempted to engage the suspect in conversation and deescalate the situation, but the group fled into a creek behind the homes, temporarily eluding police.
A perimeter was formed, and approximately 30 minutes later, officers located the group in the 1200 block of Springbrook Drive. Despite continued attempts by officers to persuade the man to drop his weapon and release the child, he remained uncooperative, holding the gun in his hand. Fearing for their safety and that of the child, an officer armed with a rifle fired at the suspect, striking him. DeSoto Medical Personnel pronounced the suspect dead at the scene.
The deceased male has not yet been identified. The two women who were with the suspect were taken in for questioning but did not provide information that could help police identify him. The child was safely turned over to family members.
The officer involved in the shooting has been placed on paid administrative leave, as is standard departmental policy. The Grand Prairie Police Department is handling the investigation into the officer-involved aspect of the shooting. The Dallas County District Attorney’s Office Public Integrity Unit was also notified and responded to the scene. The involvement of both agencies is standard procedure in officer-involved shootings to ensure an impartial and thorough investigation.
