Officer in South Texas shoots and kills man who lunged at him with knife
The Texas Rangers responded to an officer-involved shooting Tuesday morning in Pharr, according to our Sinclair station KGBT.
At about 4:25 a.m., officers were dispatched to Emil Street for a domestic disturbance call, according to attorney Bobby Garcia, who works for the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas, which represents Pharr police officers.
When police arrived, 46-year-old Martin Gomez was found holding a knife in each hand, according to a news release from the Pharr Police Department.
"Suddenly the subject lunged at the officers with the knife," Garcia said.
Fearing for their lives, the officers shot the man, Garcia said. Both officers are OK.
Gomez was rushed to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead, according to the news release.
Both officers involved -- one identified as a five-year veteran and the other a one-year veteran of the department -- have been placed on paid administrative leave.
Lt. Johnny Hernandez, a spokesman for the Texas Department of Public Safety, said the Texas Rangers are investigating the shooting, but referred requests for comment to the Pharr Police Department.
Pharr police Chief Ruben Villescas and a spokesman for the department couldn't be reached for comment Tuesday morning.
