Sunday afternoon, a Texas father fatally shot a man who allegedly tried to steal his car while his family was still inside.
Surveillance footage obtained by Fox 4 shows the suspected carjacker approaching a parked vehicle in the parking lot of a shopping center. According to authorities, the suspect had earlier crashed into two cars along Highway 66, about 18 miles outside downtown Dallas.
Police said the man then attempted to steal multiple vehicles at a nearby gas station before crossing the street and approaching the family’s car. The father stepped out of the vehicle while two women and several children remained inside. As the suspected carjacker allegedly tried to force the father away from the vehicle, the family quickly got out of the car.
According to the Garland Police Department, the father then “produced a firearm” and fired more than 10 rounds at the suspect. The man was taken to a hospital, where he later died from his injuries. Authorities have not publicly identified the suspected carjacker.
“That driver was defending himself”
No one else was injured during the incident. Police said the father remained at the scene, cooperated with investigators, and handed over the firearm used in the shooting. Garland police Lt. Pedro Barineau told NBCDFW that authorities do not expect to file charges against him.
“That driver was defending himself and was fighting with that suspect. The car was occupied by several children as well as two other female adults,” Barineau said, according to New York Post.
“We are looking at this as a self-defense case. We’re also looking into why this suspect did what he did.”
Tatiana Starks, who witnessed the shooting, told Fox 4 the suspect did not appear to be acting rationally in the moments leading up to the incident.
“You could definitely tell that he was not in his right state of mind,” Starks said. “I’m just glad that the man was able to protect himself and his family.
“It’s just a blessing that the kids and the family walked away with no injuries.”
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