“All I know is that it was a police incident in the baggage claim area”, said City of Dallas spokesperson Joe Torres, who was on his way to the scene, Dallas ABC affiliate WFAA 8 reported.
Advertisement
Dallas police in a written description of the incident said the suspect, whom they identified as Shawn Diamond, 29, the father of the woman’s children, had according to witnesses told the officer, “You’re going to have to shoot me”.
While driving to the airport, Diamond becomes angry and hits his ex-girlfriend, she tells police. Almost 12 hours later, Dallas Police Chief David Brown said he believes it was justified.
“At an airport if you see something insane going on in this day and age, maybe it’s better to overreact than underreact”, he said. One officer draws his gun, but Diamond doesn’t back down.
The man was taken to a hospital after being shot by the officer. Diamond got up with rocks still in his hand and ran at the officer a second time forcing the officer to shoot him again.
By Friday afternoon the shooting caused the delay of almost 100 flights, according to Fox News.
Sound of gunfire was captured on cell phone video shot outside the baggage claim area. He said Diamond was heard telling the officer, “You’re going to have to shoot”. She says they then saw a man throwing rocks at a vehicle.
When Diamond makes a “quick approach” toward the officer, he fires his weapon and Diamond hits the ground.
Police shot the man when he did not comply, Armstrong said.
Brown said it was unclear at this time how many shots the officer fired.
Another officer is seen on the video brandishing a stun gun he apparently never fired. A woman can be heard screaming.
Milcah Baraona flew in Saturday morning from Chicago Midway and said she almost cancelled her flight when the situation was unfolding.
A video posted by Instagram user @flashyfilms and credited to Bryan Armstrong also shows the commotion on the curb outside baggage claim at Dallas Love Field.
According to KDFW, the incident took place near baggage claim.
Advertisement
Beattie said airport police receive specific training to be attentive to suspicious-looking travelers and that the Dallas Police Department provides “crowded-environment training” to all its officers every two years.
