A man who refused to drop his rifle during a felony traffic stop was fatally shot early Sunday by a Denton police officer, authorities said.
The victim was identified as Justin Beltran, 26, of Denton. The officer's identity was not released.The shooting occurred shortly after 2:35 a.m. Sunday in the 3300 block of Hartlee Field Road in Denton.Denton police received a 911 call from a resident in the 3600 block of Dunes Street about someone shooting a weapon and she was able to describe to dispatchers the vehicle that the gunman was driving.Patrol officers arriving at the scene saw a vehicle that matched the description given by the woman and began following it.Officers made several attempts to get the driver to stop, but he refused, according to a Denton police news release.The motorist drove to Hartlee Field Road where he pulled into a driveway, police said.The suspect stepped out of the vehicle with the rifle and officers ordered him to drop it, authorities said.When he refused, the man,later identified as Beltran, was shot by an officer.He was taken to Medical City Plano where he was pronounced dead on arrival, authorities said.The officer was placed on administrative assignment as required by Denton police policy.The shooting was being investigated by the Texas Rangers.Domingo Ramirez Jr., 817-390-7763Twitter: @mingoramirezjr.Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
