Update: Man armed with knife shot, killed by Irving police
At around 6:00am this morning, an 18-wheeler caught fire along the southbound lanes of the President George Bush Turnpike near Royal Lane, forcing the closure of all southbound lanes. Irving PD was assisting DPS with traffic control in the area.
At around 11:00am, a vehicle crashed through the traffic barricades at a high rate of speed and continued driving in the southbound lanes towards the cleanup scene. The suspect then stopped his vehicle and exited with a knife in hand.
Irving police officers pursued the driver a short distance in their vehicles, and also exited their patrol vehicles when he got out on foot.
The suspect began walking along the grassy median, still armed with a knife, as officers followed and gave commands to drop the weapon. He repeatedly refused to drop the knife, police say.
As officers were following him on foot, the suspect turned towards them and approached one of the officers, backing him towards a vehicle. Fearing for his safety, the officer fired multiple rounds, striking the suspect.
The suspect was transported to a local hospital with CPR in progress, but died from his injuries.
No officers were hurt.
The incident remains under investigation.
