July 2024

Bill Spinks wspinks@cherryroad.com A police chase that started in Tarrant County early last Friday morning ended in Midlothian with the suspect dead following a shootout with officers. The pursuit, which started in Dalworthington Gardens, ended shortly after Midlothian officers deployed spikes on U.S. Highway 67 southbound. The car rammed two Midlothian patrol cars and came to a stop near an apartment complex in the 100 block of East Ridgeway Street, where the suspect fired at responding officers. Officers from the Midlothian, Dalworthington Gardens and Pantego police departments returned fire, striking and critically injuring the suspect. The suspect was taken by ambulance to a local hospital, where he died. No officers were injured in the shooting. The name of the suspect has not been released. In a press release, Dalworthington Gardens police said they received a tip from the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s Office on July 3 that a man was threatening another family and police. The suspect involved had an active warrant for family violence. As a result, the home where the family lived was placed on a “Close Patrol” where officers checked on the location multiple times per shift. Officers were at the residence shortly before 2:30 a.m. when they saw the wanted person. When officers tried to stop the suspect, he drove off, starting a pursuit. The Texas Rangers are conducting a criminal investigation, and Midlothian police will be conducting an internal investigation into its officers’ involvement.