The Fulshear Police chief says Friday's incident in which one of his officers shot and killed Christy Sheats after she opened fire on her two daughters was the first fatal officer-involved shooting in the department’s history.
And he says the officer, whom at this point in the investigation he has declined to identify, is dealing with his difficult choice as best he can.
Fulshear Police Chief Kenny Seymour says the shooting was partially captured on a patrol car dash camera. The officer can be seen pulling his gun and firing. He says the woman he shot and killed, however, is out of camera range.
On Monday, the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office said the responding officers witnessed Christy Sheats take her last shot at her daughter Taylor Sheats, and then she approached the officers. Investigators says that as she approached the officers, “she did not comply with their orders to drop her gun, and the Fulshear officer shot her to death.”
“I don’t think there was any hesitation. I think he acted appropriately based on the evidence that I’ve seen thus far, and I think he feels the same way,” Seymour said. “A very good policeman, compassionate policeman, very intelligent policeman, very capable. We’re giving him all the support he needs and all the room he needs.”
The officer, one of just 20 on the small town police force, is on paid leave, at home, away from work and getting counseling if he needs it.
Meanwhile, the police chief is now fielding media phone calls from as far away as the Los Angeles Times and People Magazine. And he’s telling them what he told us: an officer, even in a small town, never knows who he will face on any given day. And that the rules for stopping an armed murder suspect are the same, no matter who that gun-wielding person might be.
“We know that we’re not immune from problems like this,” Seymour said. “It could happen anywhere. By the looks of things, we’re looking at mental health issues which is plaguing our country all over. So this could happen anywhere USA.”
The police chief said the officer will return to the force, likely on administrative duties at first, only when he is ready.
