Source The Dallas Morning News
A deputy with the Tarrant County sheriff’s office was shot three times Wednesday afternoon while serving a warrant, and the man suspected of shooting of him was killed following a police standoff.
Jennifer Gabbert, Tarrant County sheriff’s office chief of staff, said at a news conference the deputy was shot about 12:20 p.m. in the 2900 block of Elinor Street. Gabbert said the deputy, identified as 13-year department veteran Todd Tipton, was shot in the arm and lower back, and a shot grazed the back of his head. A department news release said the man, who has not yet been identified, shot at deputies then barricaded himself inside his home.
About 3:45 p.m., Sgt. Leah Wagner of the Fort Worth Police Department said the man had been killed, but the department is unsure if the fatal injury was self-inflicted or from Fort Worth SWAT officers.
Fort Worth police Chief Neil Noakes said the man told police he had hostages and threatened them. Fort Worth SWAT then breached the home and the man fired at them, prompting police to return fire, Noakes said.
Wagner said a search of the home revealed no hostages. She said some SWAT officers received minor injuries from glass when breaching the home, but no other injuries were reported.
Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Waybourn said at a Wednesday news conference that deputies were attempting to serve three felony warrants on a 40-year-old man when a gunfight erupted.
Waybourn said Tipton is conscious, alert and visiting with family. Officials believe the injuries do not require immediate surgery, Waybourn said.
“We’re pretty happy about that,” he said.
Tipton is a decorated and experienced member of the sheriff office’s SWAT team, Waybourn said.
Tim O’Hare, Tarrant County judge, said in a 4:34 p.m. X post that Tipton was released from the hospital Wednesday.
Waybourn said the warrants were for sexual assault of a child, indecency with a child and restraint of a child.
Fort Worth and Haltom City police assisted the sheriff’s office at the scene.
Noakes said the incident is under investigation.
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