DeSoto police shoot, kill armed suspect holding a child
DESOTO — A DeSoto police officer shot and killed an armed man Sunday morning who was reportedly holding a small child, threatening to shoot any officer who approached him.
Officers responded to the 1100 block of Greenbriar Drive just after 4 a.m., police said, after reports that a man and two women were randomly knocking on doors and trespassing through residential properties. The male suspect, later identified as 34-year-old Jesse Martinez, was carrying a small child.
When officers arrived, they found the Martinez armed with a handgun and threatening to shoot any officer he encountered, DeSoto police said. He was also still holding the child.
Officers attempted to de-escalate the situation, according to the DeSoto Police Department, but the suspects ran to a creek behind the homes, causing officers to temporarily lose sight of them.
DeSoto PD said officers formed a perimeter and found the group about 30 minutes later in the 1200 block of Springbrook Drive.
The officers continued to talk to Martinez and tried to get him to drop his weapon and let the child go; however, he did not cooperate.
Fearing for their and the child's safety, one officer armed with a rifle shot the suspect, DeSoto PD said. Martinez died at the scene.
The officer involved in the shooting has been placed on paid administrative leave per departmental policy. The investigation is ongoing.