LUMBERTON, Texas — A 62-year-old man wielding a machete was shot and killed Sunday afternoon by a Lumberton Police Officer.
Lumberton Police got a call to assist EMS Sunday at about 4:30 p.m. in the 300 block of Church Loop according to Lumberton Police chief Danny Sullins.
The neighborhood on Church Loop is mainly residential but does have some businesses.
When an officer arrived, the 62-year-old man picked up a machete and threatened the officer according to witnesses Sullins told 12News on Monday.
"When he gets there the gentleman starts waving his machete, and I have to tell you most people when confronted with someone who is wielding a machete would quiver in fear. Not this officer, the officer used his training and went to a taser first," said Sullins.
The officer attempted to use a stun gun to stop the man but he kept moving toward the officer in an "aggressive manner" and wouldn't respond to the officer's commands Sullins said.
The officer then shot the man in self-defense according to Sullins.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene by a justice of the peace and the Texas Rangers were notified.
Texas Rangers are now handling the investigation Sullins said.
"It's a sad fact of the business that we are in that these types of situations happen. This is what cops are hired and trained to do, and its unfortunate when it's necessary and it is necessary," said TMPA Executive Director Kevin Lawrence.
The Voice of Texas Law Enforcement (TMPA) is the largest police association. Officers individually can be apart of the group and use their services.
"There is a private practice attorney that responds to take care of the officers' legal representation. We will then have field reps respond with counseling and support," he said.
Sullins says the officer has been placed on administrative leave, which is standard protocol.
The Sunday shooting is the third officer involved shooting in Southeast Texas in just over three months.
Officers in Port Neches were involved in a fatal shooting last week and one in July 2022.
There have now been 21 officer-involved shootings in Southeast Texas in the last five years.
Here’s a break-down by city:
- Beaumont - 8
- Kountze - 1
- Lumberton - 1
- Nederland - 1
- Port Arthur - 3
- Port Neches - 2
- Silsbee - 2
- Sour Lake - 3
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This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
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