Officers fired multiple shots when a man holding a gun to his head and saying he wanted to die turned the weapon on officers outside the Temple Police Department (Texas) Thursday. The Texas Rangers are investigating the fatal officer-involved shooting.
According to a Temple Police Department statement, dispatchers received a call from a man saying he was outside the police department and not afraid to shoot himself.
The first officers arrived between 9:10 and 9:12 p.m.
The armed man told officers he was “just done” and wanted police to kill him. Police said the man stated he had lost his wife and his home and that God was telling him he was done.
Police said he continued to hold a gun to his head and demand that they shoot him. However, one officer who knew the man took over communications and tried to deescalate the situation.
But, about 9:20 p.m., the man removed the gun from his head and pointed it toward several officers. Seven officers discharged their sidearms or rifles at the individual. The man was struck by gunfire, and officers immediately provided medical attention until being relieved by fire and EMS.
He was pronounced dead by the justice of the peace.
The department called the Texas Rangers in to investigate the shooting, but it will also conduct an internal affairs investigation. Per standard practice, all officers who discharged their weapons have been placed on administrative leave with pay.
