DPD: Suspect Had Reached For Weapon When Officer Fired
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - CBS 11 News has learned new information about a deadly early morning Dallas police officer-involved shooting.
Officials with the Dallas Police Department held a news conference Wednesday afternoon revealing how what started as a robbery ended with two people dead.
Police say 24-year-old Joseph Roling was shot by 19-year-old Sergio Ramos at a gas station in the 1300 block of North Central Expressway, just before 1 a.m.
As the scene played out a police officer, identified as Jose Gamez, was wrapping up work at his off-duty security job at a nearby Wal-Mart. Gamez allegedly noticed the activity and tried to stop suspected shooter Ramos.
During the press conference Major Jeff Cotner said, "Officer Gamez was in uniform. Officer Gamez believed he was, he was off-duty so he had already begun to take off part of his uniform. But he did identify himself as a police officer. He did use his badge and the witnesses acknowledge that he fully acknowledged himself a police officer and he made it aware to everybody there that he was a police officer."
According to officials, at some point Officer Gamez approached Ramos, who had gotten back into his vehicle, and was speaking with him. Major Cotner said, "As they talked Officer Gamez observed a firearm begin to protrude from the left shorts pocket of Ramos. Officer Gamez gave specific verbal commands to Ramos not to touch the firearm."
Ramos allegedly did not follow the commands and had placed his hand on the weapon when Officer Gamez opened fire. Despite being hit Ramos was able to drive a short distance but crashed into several parked cars at a nearby Denny's restaurant. Police say a weapon a weapon was later recovered from inside the vehicle Ramos was driving.
Police believe the initial shooting was robbery-related.
All of the shooting scenes covered an area about as wide as four football fields. Police say it took them hours to document.
Officer Gamez has been on the force for five years and is assigned to the Northwest Patrol Division. As is customary after officer-involved shootings he has been placed on paid leave pending the full outcome of the investigation.
There have been four deadly DPD shootings this week alone.
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