Police: Man fires officer’s gun during struggle, shot in central Abilene

ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – Police have released more information regarding an officer-involved shooting in central Abilene on Monday evening that left one person in critical condition.

At about 6:30 p.m. on October 13, Abilene police were called to the area of South 1st and Butternut Streets for a welfare check. According to APD, a man had called 911 multiple times and appeared to be disoriented and in distress.

When officers arrived, they found the man visibly agitated and spent about 15 minutes attempting to de-escalate the situation. Police say the man began walking into the roadway and refused commands to move out of traffic.

Officers then tried to remove him from the roadway. Police report that the man then became combative.

“During the struggle, an officer deployed a Taser, which was ineffective. The subject then gained partial control of one officer’s holstered firearm and discharged it, striking the officer’s leg,” APD shared. “In response to the immediate threat, the second officer on scene discharged his firearm, striking the subject.”

The officer sustained a minor leg injury, while the suspect was transported to Hendrick Health and remains in critical condition.

Both officers have been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, which is being conducted by the Texas Rangers and the Abilene Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division.

The suspect’s identity will be released once the next of kin has been notified.