A Cleburne police officer was shot in the leg, and an armed suspect was killed Monday evening after a police pursuit ended with an officer-involved shooting near a Sam’s Club in Burleson, authorities said.
The incident began shortly before 7 p.m. on August 24 when Cleburne police responded to a report of a person brandishing a firearm from a vehicle.
When officers arrived, the person fled in the vehicle, leading police on a pursuit through Alvarado and north on Interstate 35W. The chase ended near the Sam’s Club at Interstate 35W and Burleson Boulevard.
Gunfire Erupts Near Sam’s Club
Authorities said shots were fired during the confrontation, and the suspect was struck and pronounced dead at the scene.
A Cleburne police officer was also struck by gunfire in the leg and taken to a local hospital. The officer was reported to be in stable condition.
Multiple law enforcement agencies responded to the scene, including the Burleson Police Department, Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office and Texas Department of Public Safety. Two Johnson County deputies were also involved in the incident, according to the sheriff’s office.
Burleson police said there was no ongoing threat to the public.
The Texas Rangers have taken over the investigation, as is standard in officer-involved shootings.
Witnesses Describe Chaotic Scene
Witnesses said the shooting unfolded near and inside the Sam’s Club, where shoppers and employees scrambled for safety.
Michael Anthony Garcia told reporters he saw a Cleburne officer ram a blue truck before the suspect ran toward the store with police following.
Garcia said he saw the officer go down and attempted to help. He removed his belt in an effort to use it as a tourniquet, but other officers arrived with medical equipment and treated the wounded officer.
“It was a scary moment,” Garcia said, per CBS News. “I hadn’t witnessed anything like that. I was caught in the middle.”
Another witness, Dylan Trim, was working at Sam’s Club when the incident occurred.
Trim said he saw police vehicles arrive and then heard gunfire. He described seeing a person carrying what appeared to be a rifle or shotgun walk into the store before shots were exchanged with officers near the store entrance.
“Everyone was screaming,” Trim said. “Everyone just dropped their stuff and ran.”
Trim said he eventually fled through a fire exit.
Social media user Joe Martinez posted on Facebook about his experience while shopping at the store with his wife and son. He said when the shots rang out, he could not see his son, and his wife was in another part of the store.
“Everything felt surreal. The not knowing how your family is in that moment is terrifying,” Martinez said. “I’m grateful that my family, myself, and everyone else made it out safe. Tonight we took a deep breath and just embraced each other a little more.”
“My prayers are with everyone that was inside the store when it happened and I’m thankful the officer is okay. I’m also praying for the shooter who lost his life. What led him to make this decision cost him everything and it’s not my place to judge,” he added.
Investigation Continues
The identity of the person killed has not been released.
Authorities also have not disclosed additional details about what prompted the initial report of a person brandishing a firearm or what happened immediately before the exchange of gunfire.
Cleburne Mayor Derek Weathers expressed support for the injured officer and thanked the other agencies that responded.
“On behalf of the city, my wife, and I, our thoughts and prayers are with the officer, who is stable,” Weathers said, per CBS.
The investigation remains ongoing and is being handled by the Texas Rangers.
