Suspect armed with 'assault rifle' arrested after threatening to shoot someone, police say
Potential murder-suicide stopped by response, PD says
White Settlement Police responded to a call for a man who had threatened to shoot and kill a former friend. Police say the quick reaction of officers could have saved multiple lives.
WHITE SETTLEMENT, Texas - White Settlement police arrested a person Sunday afternoon, thwarting what they say could have been a murder-suicide,
Body camera video shows the response from officers after getting a 911 call who was reportedly armed with multiple guns and on their way to shoot someone.
"Hands where I can see them. Hands up. Hands where I can see them! Get down on your knees! Face down! Face down! Don’t move," you can hear police saying in the video.
Seven officer responded to the confrontation at the apartments on Dale Lane with the man who police believe was ready to commit murder.
"We really believe had we been a minute or two later, there would have been a murder of the victim and likely a suicide," said White Settlement Police Chief Christopher Cook.
Chief Cook says the 911 caller claimed an "old friend," Steven Silva, was heavily armed and threatening him from outside his apartment.
Steven Silva
"It’s my friend Steven (inaudible). He has a gun. He found out some stuff, and now he’s pissed off at me," the caller said.
Officers found Silva outside the 911 caller's apartment. Footage shows a weapon leaning against the door.
Police provided photos of what they say Silva had with him: a .22 long rifle, a shotgun and a handgun.
"They were all chambered, had rounds in them," said Chief Cook. "Based on social media posts, based on the statement from the victim, based on the statement from the suspect, his intent was likely going to be that he may try to kill his friend and then kill himself."
Police say there was a rift between Silva and the victim about a woman.
RAW: White Settlement PD stop apparent murder-suicide
White Settlement police arrested a person Sunday afternoon who was reportedly armed with an "assault rifle," shotgun, and handgun, and on their way to shoot someone. Body camera video shows the confrontation with police.
"We see this with road rage incidents. We see this with boyfriends, girlfriends, husbands, wives but at the end of the day we’ve got to take a deep breath and we gotta calm down and get our emotions in check," said Chief Cook.
Officers gave verbal commands and the suspect surrendered peacefully.
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Silva was charged with unlawfully carrying of weapon, possession of controlled substance, and terroristic threat.
Bond has not been set, according to online records.