According to the Garland Police Department, an officer stopped a vehicle for traffic violations in the 800 block of Bay Shore Drive around 11:00 p.m. The vehicle had three occupants. During the stop, the officer suspected narcotics possession, prompting further investigation. The front passenger unexpectedly fled on foot, leading to a pursuit by a backup officer.
Moments later, a single gunshot was heard, and the fleeing individual collapsed. Officers administered life-saving measures until the Garland Fire Department arrived. The individual was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The investigation revealed that the man sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest. A loaded firearm, confirmed to be stolen from Plano, Texas, was found next to him.
No officers discharged their firearms during the incident. The Garland Police Department is withholding the identities of the vehicle’s occupants, including the deceased, pending notification of next of kin. The department is also investigating whether the gunshot wound was intentional or accidental. The officer’s body-worn camera was activated throughout the incident, according to a press release from the department.