Fort Worth law enforcement officers fatally shoot 2 armed men; 2 others shot at scene
A Fort Worth police officer and a fire department arson investigator fatally shot two armed men early Wednesday after the officers drove by and saw them involved in an altercation, authorities said.
A man and woman were also found with gunshot wounds at the scene, a corner house in the northwest section of the city, but it was not clear under what circumstances they were shot, Fort Worth Police Chief Neil Noakes said at a press conference.
They were near, but not at the exact location, of the men who died, Noakes said. The chief did not describe their condition. They were taken to a hospital, he said. Later Wednesday, a police department spokesperson said no other fatalities had been reported in connection with the case.
The officer and arson investigator were responding to a call when about 12:30 a.m. they drove through the intersection of Ross Avenue and NW 32nd Street and saw the altercation, Noakes said.
The men who were shot to death had been involved in a street fight, according to the executive director of the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas, a union that represents officers in legal matters.
The officer and arson investigator shot the armed men, Noakes said. One was pronounced dead at the scene and the other died at a hospital. Their names were not released Wednesday.
“This was a very dynamic scene that just came out of nowhere,” Noakes said. “Officers weren’t even trying to respond to this scene when they came by.”
The officer and arson investigator were equipped with body-worn video cameras. Fort Worth police typically release recordings within days of a shooting but did not do so Wednesday.
The police department has declined to release the names of officers who use lethal force unless the officer is disciplined by the agency or charged with an offense in connection with the use of force.
The officers were teamed to address illegal firework activity for the July Fourth holiday.
The street where the shooting occurred was littered Wednesday morning with used fireworks, which also filled garbage bags piled at three corners of the intersection. It was not clear whether the people involved in the shooting were connected to a party taking place in the neighborhood.
The police department major case and internal affairs units and the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s Office are investigating the shooting under standard procedure.
A person outside the Ross Avenue house at midday declined a reporter’s interview request.
In 2023, Fort Worth law enforcement officers have shot eight civilians in the city. In each case the person held a weapon as he or she was shot. Four died. Four of the cases appear to have involved a mental health crisis.
▪ On Jan. 7, Robert Bradshaw, 37, was shot in the 3500 block of Wedgworth Road South. He brandished a machete and charged at officers as they were preparing to stun him, police have said. Bradshaw died.
Bradshaw’s mother called 911 to report that her son was possibly armed with a knife, police have said.
▪ On Jan. 21, Hector Galvan, 35, was shot in the 4900 block of Rutland Avenue. Galvan survived. As he ran from officers, Galvan pulled a gun from his pocket, fell and pointed the gun at an officer, surveillance video shows.
A woman called 911 to report a domestic disturbance.
▪ On March 4, a 29-year-old man was shot in the 13000 block of Park Vista Boulevard. The man survived.
As the man walked toward officers, he reached and gripped what police learned after the shooting was a pepper-spray gun.
Officers were responding to 911 callers who reported seeing a man who appeared to be in distress, erratic and yelling in a field.
▪ On March 14, Robert Ramos, 64, was shot in the 5600 block of Wedgworth Road. He fired a handgun at an officer outside a residence. Ramos survived.
Ramos’ wife called 911 to report he was intoxicated, making threats and was armed with a handgun.
▪ On May 13, Daniel Gutierrez, 57, was shot in the 2900 block of Northwest 21st Street. He fired a gun during a standoff and domestic disturbance at his residence, police have said. Gutierrez died.
Gutierrez’s wife called 911 to report the domestic disturbance.
▪ On May 22, Kaitlyn Balogun, 20, was shot in the 5900 block of Greenspoint Drive. Balogun picked up a knife and approached the officer, who had arrived at the woman’s apartment after Balogun called 911 and reported that she was trying to kill herself and was “bleeding out,” video shows. Balogun survived.
This story was originally published July 5, 2023 at 6:59 AM.
