TEMPLE, TX (October 24, 2025) – This release is an initial condensed timeline of a use of force event that occurred on Thursday, October 23, 2025. This is preliminary information and may change as the investigation continues.
At around 9:51 p.m., an officer called out over the radio, asking the Bell County Communications Center to create a call for him after he identified a suspicious person walking on private property near the 1200 block of W Avenue G. Two officers were on scene and asked the suspect to stop and talk with them, however, he began to flee from the officers by running westbound down the alley toward 25th Street.
Between 9:51 p.m. and 9:55 p.m., the following events occurred. Officers continued to pursue the individual on foot onto the roadway and toward the railroad tracks. At 9:51 p.m., one of the officers said, “Hey, don’t reach into your pocket”. At 9:52 p.m., one of the officers then told the other, “He’s got a knife”. Officers then told the suspect to stop and placed him at gunpoint.
At 9:53 p.m., the suspect then continued to run down the railroad tracks, and then he turned toward one of the officers and stated, “I’m going to kill you. I promise you. Don’t come on, I’m gonna kill you”. At 9:54 p.m., the officer then responded with, “I’m not trying to kill you. I was just trying to talk to you”.
The suspect answered with, “Don’t drop your goddamn gun”. One of the officers then stated, “Drop the thing in your hand”, and the suspect stated, “I’m not dropping shit”. While advancing toward one of the officers in an aggressive manner and stated, “Come on then”. At 9:55 p.m., officers asked him to stop, and the suspect stated, “I’m not going to stop. Pull the trigger, I’m not going to jail. Get those lights out my eyes. Pull the trigger. I’m gonna tell you right now, I’ll make you drop it. I’m gonna kill you. I promise you I will.”
One of the officers responded, “Just stop man. Drop the knife. Just relax. Can you just stop?”
The suspect then stated, “I’m not stopping. Get out of my way,” and advanced and continued towards one of the officers. Both of the officers then fired their issued sidearms.
The shiny object in the suspect's hand, previously believed to be a knife, was two mechanical pencils.
Officers initiated life-saving efforts until EMS arrived. EMS then took over life-saving measures and transported the individual to the hospital. He was pronounced deceased at 10:40 p.m. by Justice of the Peace Larry Wilkey.
The Temple Police Department called in the Texas Rangers to investigate the incident due to the death of the suspect. As a matter of standard practice, both officers have been placed on administrative leave with pay.
This is an active investigation, and no other information will be released at this time.
Anyone with information should contact the Temple Police Department at 254-298-5500 or the Bell County Crime Stoppers at 254-526-8477, where callers can report anonymously. Tips can also be submitted anonymously at bellcountycrimestoppers.com.