Armed suspect killed by Garland police; second body found inside apartment after standoff
On Wednesday, June 4, at approximately 1:50 p.m., Garland Police Department officers were dispatched to Motel 6, located at 12721 LBJ Freeway, in response to a reported disturbance between a motel tenant and hotel management.
Officers attempted to speak with the tenant. During the encounter, the tenant pointed a firearm at the officers. The officers immediately took cover for their safety. Given the Aggravated Assault on a Peace Officer with a deadly weapon charge and the high-risk nature of the situation, the department’s SWAT team was deployed to manage the ongoing threat. Detectives obtained a warrant for the tenant.
As a precautionary measure, nearby motel rooms were evacuated. SWAT team negotiators attempted to communicate with the barricaded suspect, but the suspect refused to respond to the communications.
After failed negotiation attempts, SWAT team officers deployed tear gas into the room to force the suspect to surrender. During an approach to the room’s window, the suspect confronted a SWAT team member with a firearm from inside the room. The officer discharged his department-issued rifle, striking the suspect. SWAT team officers then entered the room and discovered the suspect deceased as a result of the gunfire.
Tragically, a second individual was discovered inside the room, already deceased. Preliminary observations suggest this individual had been deceased for some time prior to the incident.
No officers were injured.
The Garland Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division is actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the suspect’s actions and the death of the second person discovered in the room.
Further information will be released as it becomes available. The identities of the deceased individuals are being withheld pending confirmation by the Dallas County Medical Examiner’s Office and notification of the deceased’s next of kin.
