Foot pursuit leads to officer-involved shooting
Corpus Christi Police Department continues to investigate possible connections
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – On Tuesday, Nov. 2, at approximately 2:50 p.m., Corpus Christi Police Department officers were dispatched to a major traffic accident on the 4600 block of Highway 286. Updates to the call revealed that a vehicle was driving the wrong way and caused a head-on collision. The driver then fled the scene on foot.
Officers arrived on the scene at approximately 2:52 p.m. They immediately provided a suspect description to officers in the area.
Officers began searching the surrounding neighborhoods. They located a suspect matching the description provided. Eventually, the suspect produced a weapon, discharging it in the neighborhood. The suspect then fled from officers on foot.
A foot pursuit began. Officers surrounded the suspect, who then produced a handgun. An officer responded by discharging his weapon, striking the suspect. The suspect was provided immediate medical attention and was transported to a local hospital.
It was confirmed the handgun produced by the suspect was located on the scene.
The Corpus Christic Police Officers are placed on paid administrative leave, in accordance with current department practice and policy.
On Wednesday, Nov. 3, the Corpus Christi Police Department provided an update on the officer-involved shooting
Investigators have worked diligently to investigate the connection between the shooting and that which occurred in Aransas Pass, near Aransas Pass High School.
On Tuesday, Nov. 2, Aransas Pass ISD Superintendent Cara Cooke released the following statement:
Today our district experienced a situation that required us to enact our standard response protocol (SRP) in order to ensure the safety of all students. The Aransas Pass Police Department, Texas Rangers, Texas Highway Patrol, San Patricio County Sheriff Office, along with many other law enforcement officers, worked with our district to investigate the threat and secure the high school campus. A thorough search was also conducted by four K-9 units who systematically cleared the campus. Every student and staff member have been accounted for and are all safe. Chief Blanchard has reasonable belief that there is no continued threat. Aransas Pass Police Department will be keeping us posted on the final outcome of this investigation. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding in implementing the SRP. Together we were able to ensure that all of our students made it home safely tonight. We will continue to work diligently every day to keep our campuses safe.
Although the suspect has not been positively identified, an ongoing investigation strongly suggests that the suspect in both incidents is the same individual.
Timeline of incident according to a Corpus Christi Police Department press release:
As previously detailed, the officer discharged his weapon after the suspect produced a handgun. According to CCPD, anytime an officer must use deadly force, it is tragic. They also noted it is even more unsettling for a troubled young man with a gun to place an officer in a position to use that force. Through investigation, the Corpus Christi Police Department believes officers did everything they could to bring this incident to a peaceful resolution.
Officers encountered an armed suspect, who had shown intent to harm others. This incident took place over several blocks. It was also located near Aransas Pass High School, which had unsuspecting and innocent students and staff.
Notably, the suspect discharged his weapon towards officers while located directly across from the high school on Castenon Street, prior to the foot pursuit. When confronted with deadly force, officers opted to use less than the lethal force at least twice. They remained unsuccessful.
Due to the closeness of the high school when officers were confronted with a serious threat, they placed themselves between the school and the threat, to prevent loss of life.
The suspect’s age has not been identified, but CCPD can confirm that he is a juvenile male.
Any additional updates will be released as they are made available for release.
Law enforcement officers are asking for any help available
This is still an active and ongoing investigation. If you have any information pertaining to this incident, you are encouraged to call the Corpus Christi Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at 361-886-2840. Anyone who would like to keep their identity secret and still provide information to Detectives should call Crime Stoppers at 888-TIPS (8477) or submit the tip online.
You can read Corpus Christi Police Department’s original press release here.
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