Dallas police release video of suspect killed in confrontation with SWAT officers
Video shows armed suspect confront police | FULL NEWS CONFERENCE
The Dallas Police Department shared an update on Monday following a deadly officer-involved shooting with an armed suspect.
DALLAS - The Dallas Police Department provided an update and released body camera video of a deadly confrontation between a suspect and SWAT officers.
The suspect was shot and killed after he allegedly pointed a gun at the officers in West Dallas on Friday morning.
Dallas Police Shooting
What's new:
The department held a news conference on Monday afternoon to release video and answer questions about the officer-involved shooting.
Chief Daniel Comeaux said his SWAT officers were working with the Lewisville Police Department and a Drug Enforcement Administration task force to execute a narcotics search warrant at the home.
"Intelligence gathered during the investigation indicated a large quantity of narcotics was believed to be inside the residence," he said.
Multiple SWAT teams began clearing the property, which included a single-story home and a two-story detached structure behind it.
Body camera video shows SWAT officers encountering two dogs as they moved toward the detached structure. Two flash bang devices were successfully deployed, and the officers continued upstairs.
"Just as they announced police, the suspect, later identified as 26-year-old Matthew Leija, opened one of the doors with a firearm in his right hand and pointed at officers. Officer Ellis Wells fired multiple shots from his rifle, striking the suspect," Chief Comeaux said.
Despite lifesaving efforts, Leija died at the scene.
Police ended up recovering multiple firearms and a large quantity of drugs, including methamphetamine, marijuana, and fentanyl, from the property.
DEA task force members reportedly questioned several of Leija’s family members, who were in the single-story home at the time of the shooting.
Child Protective Service was also called in to temporarily care for two children found inside Leija’s home. They were later released to their mother.
Dig deeper:
This is DPD’s fourth officer-involved shooting so far this year.
"We never want to have an officer-involved shooting. It would be great if we have no more for the rest of the year. But the officers also have to protect everyone in Dallas and make sure that everyone's safe," Chief Comeaux said.
Officer Wells was the only officer who fired a shot. He was placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure.
The Dallas County District Attorney’s Office and the Office of Community Police Oversight will conduct independent investigations into the shooting.
The backstory:
The shooting happened just after 10 a.m. on Friday as Dallas officers were working with a narcotics task force to execute a federal warrant in the 1000 block of Shaw Street.
"As the SWAT team was making entry, an individual with a gun pointed a gun at the officers. Officers discharged their firearm, killing the suspect at that time. Officers immediately rendered aid, trying to help the suspect that was just shot. He ended up dying at the scene," Chief Comeaux said on Friday.
No officers were injured in the shooting.
Suspect killed during confrontation with Dallas police SWAT officers
A suspect was shot and killed after he allegedly pointed a gun at police officers in West Dallas on Friday morning.
The Source: The information in this story comes from the Dallas Police Department and past news coverage.