Texas Police Officer Kills Knife-Wielding Man

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(December 27, 2008)—An investigation was underway Saturday after a police officer shot a knife-wielding man Friday night during an altercation outside of a convenience store in El Paso.

The man died at the scene.

The plainclothes officer, who was conducting surveillance at the store when he witnessed a theft, was not injured.

After the man left the store, the officer displayed his badge, identified himself as police and attempted to make an arrest.

The man threatened the officer with a knife.

He dropped the knife when ordered to, but subsequently picked it up again and charged the officer, who fired his weapon.

The incident is under investigation by police, internal affair and the district attorney's office.

Neither the officer nor the suspect was identified.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: anon... Location: Waco on Dec 29, 2008 at 04:28 PM
Jeff From central texas, AMEN!

Posted by: Reason Location: Belton on Dec 29, 2008 at 01:02 PM
Police offers are trained to shoot to kill not to maim. If the police officer felt that the man threatened his life he was well within his right.

Posted by: Willie T. Location: Waco on Dec 29, 2008 at 12:32 PM
Justice served. Training pays off.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: copperas cove on Dec 29, 2008 at 10:48 AM
Cops arent trained to shoot to injure...theyre trained to shoot to kill. if that cop felt like he was a threat (which i believe everyone on here agrees he was) than he had every right in the world to shoot him. I believe he made the right decision.

Posted by: Gary on Dec 29, 2008 at 10:44 AM
Suicide by "IDIOT" pull a knife on a trained policeman is stupid...should be dead, Darwin award here.

Posted by: George Location: clifton,tx on Dec 29, 2008 at 09:46 AM
Madmax is right. A person can stab you within 21' before you can pull a gun an shot them. The officer was correct in what he did. I can assure you he didn't go out that night looking for someone to kill. "Shot him in the foot"? You've been watching too many TV shows.

Posted by: Bobbert Location: unknown on Dec 29, 2008 at 07:15 AM
The guy was probally geeked up on meth or crack. If the cop shot him in the foot or leg, it might not have stopped him. Good job! Some of you people sound like bleeding hearts for criminals. You must think it is OK to rob somebody.

Posted by: Darryl Location: Waco on Dec 29, 2008 at 02:06 AM
That is the problem with our society today. Everyone wants to tie our officers hands to where they can't do their job. I'm sure that officer has a family that cares for him and wants him to come home at the end of the day. He did not make the guy come at him with the knife. The suspect simply hd to leave the knife on the ground and cooperate with the officers commands. If he thought he was not guilty there would be a time in court to dispute the charge. T, it is obvious what kind of person you must be. I'm sure you have a rap sheet that speaks for itself.

Posted by: lonewolf on Dec 29, 2008 at 12:01 AM
Another one bites the dust

Posted by: Dennis Location: Lampasas County on Dec 28, 2008 at 08:19 PM
One warning shot in the middle of the chest should do it.

Posted by: Wisest one of All Location: Earth on Dec 28, 2008 at 07:41 PM
We have a winner for the most stupid post of the day! Congratulations T take a bow! We only hope you do not breed and muddy up the gene pool.

Posted by: Scott Location: SW Asia on Dec 28, 2008 at 05:33 PM
A knife is a deadly weapon, plain and simple. You wield a dangerous weapon in a threatening manner and deadly force is authorized. The officer was completely justified in his actions.

Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 28, 2008 at 03:31 PM
The officer had to decide in a split second what he needed to do just as the home invasion guy. As long as the home invasion shooter who protected his family is treated with the same respect in his investigation as the officer, all is well.

Posted by: Police Officer Location: Centex on Dec 28, 2008 at 10:31 AM
T..why should the officer be charged? The suspect was ordered to drop the weapon, and he did, but then picked it up and charged the officer. He could have killed that officer. So instead, the officer did exactly what he was trained to do. Just exactly how do you shoot someone in the foot when they are charging you? Please explain that to me.

Posted by: Anon Location: Waco on Dec 28, 2008 at 10:08 AM
Suicide by cop?

Posted by: cheryl Location: waco on Dec 28, 2008 at 09:12 AM
If somebody was coming at you with a knife would you shoot the in the foot?

Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 28, 2008 at 08:31 AM
Jeff in Central Texas...Amen to that!

Posted by: Respoding to T on Dec 28, 2008 at 07:16 AM
Response to T, Are you serious? If you were the officer, and someone was threating you with a knife, what would you do? Ok, if you take a chance and shoot the man in the foot, there is still a good chance the knife welding idiot can still come after you and will really be MAD that you shot his foot....so no, I dont blame the officer...

Posted by: Madmax Location: Killeen on Dec 28, 2008 at 07:06 AM
T, ARE YOU SERIOUS?? I guess the badge, gun and the words, "Police," didn't mean anything to the guy. I bet you wouldn't shoot a guy in a foot if he had a knife and was a threat to you, would you? Also, did you know that a person with a knife can stab a person within 21' before that person (hopefully a cop) and pull out a gun and shoot?? Know your facts before your post, you Cop Hater!

Posted by: CC Location: CenTex on Dec 28, 2008 at 06:30 AM
T.... The officer should have shot the guy in the foot or something? Are you for real? The thief charged at the him with a knife!!

Posted by: Jeff Location: Central Texas on Dec 27, 2008 at 09:25 PM
This is a no brainer. If you're stupid enough to challenge a police officer who's holding a loaded gun, then you're ready to meet the all mighty at the pearly gates.

Posted by: T on Dec 27, 2008 at 09:17 PM
The officer couldn't have shot the man in the foot or something?! And I bet the officer will get off without a charge...sad.

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