Richardson officer fatally shot, gunman barricaded at apartment complex, police say

This is a developing story and is being updated.

A Richardson officer was fatally shot while responding to a disturbance call at an apartment complex, and police late Wednesday night were attempting to negotiate with the suspected gunman, who they said had holed up in the same complex.

The officer's death was confirmed just before 11 p.m. The officer's name has not been released while Richardson police worked to notify family and loved ones.

Richardson Police
@RichardsonTX_PD
We are confirming that we have lost one of our own. Our officer is deceased. We are not identifying him at this time. We ask for your prayers during this tragedy. Thank you.

9:51 AM - Feb 8, 2018 · Plano, TX
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A male civilian was also wounded, police said
Richardson Police spokesman Kevin Perlich said the officer was shot while responding to a reports of a disturbance with shots fired just after 7 p.m. in the 4200 block of Renner Road, at North Star Road. Officers encountered gunfire upon arriving.

"When the officers got out here, we had one victim that was down," Perlich said, speaking to reporters earlier in the evening. "Unfortunately, one of our officers was also shot and has gone down."
Late Wednesday, police said they had cornered the suspect in the Breckinridge Point apartment complex and were trying to negotiate his surrender.

"We believe we have him pinned down to a particular location," Perlich said. "However, he is still randomly firing throughout the evening."

59m

Dana Branham
@danabranham
Replying to @danabranham
Fwiw, those are the first shots I’ve heard since I got to the scene around 9:20. I’ve heard four or five more now.

Dana Branham
@danabranham
It was quiet for a while, but I just heard several more gunshots at the apartment complex. About a dozen.

10:15 AM - Feb 8, 2018
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There were reports that police were using a robot to get a phone to the shooter for negotiations. A series of a dozen blasts was heard inside the complex about 11 p.m., with another volley following about 15 minutes later.

Police urged residents to shelter in place. Portions of Renner Road were also closed.

Officers from Richardson and elsewhere had begun assembling at Medical City Plano just after 9:30 p.m. Among the steady stream of other law enforcement to arrive was a man from Cops4CopsTX.org in a car decorated with stars and stripes and the saying "When a hero dies, an angel rises."

Perlich confirmed the officer's death outside the hospital just after 10:30 p.m.

"I'm here tonight to let you know that, tragically, we lost one of our own," he said.

The condition of the civilian remained unknown, but Perlich said he had not been transported elsewhere for treatment and was still at the apartment complex.

Greg Abbott
✔
@GregAbbott_TX
The hearts and soul of Texas mourn with you. Your loss is a loss to all law enforcement and everyone in our great state. Texas will honor the lost officer with the dignity he deserves. May God rest his soul. And may his legacy live on in others' service. #txlege #BackTheBlue https://twitter.com/RichardsonTX_PD/status/961462347498958848 …

9:57 AM - Feb 8, 2018
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On Twitter, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott expressed sorrow and statewide support.
"The hearts and soul of Texas mourn with you," he said. "Your loss is a loss to all law enforcement and everyone in our great state."

Police departments from Denton to Irving to Wylie also offered their support and prayers in response.

Irving Police Dept.
✔
@IrvingPD
We’re sending thoughts and prayers tonight to our brothers & sisters in @RichardsonTX_PD 💙

7:28 AM - Feb 8, 2018
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The scene was far too reminiscent of police shootings that have jolted police departments across North Texas in recent years.

In spring 2016, Euless Officer David Hofer was fatally ambushed while responding to a report of a gunman at a park. He left behind a fiancee to whom he had proposed under the pretense of a cop ride-along.

That same month, Fort Worth officer Matt Pearce was shot several times while pursuing a pair of robbery suspects. He was known to visit officers injured in the line of duty while recovering from his injuries and returned to active duty last year.

In July 2016, a gunman opened fire on police officers protecting protesters in downtown Dallas. Four Dallas police officers and a Dallas Area Rapid Transit officer were killed, and several others were injured.

Last year, a barricaded gunman in Little Elm unleashed a "hail of fire" on police Detective Jerry Walker and his fellow SWAT officers. Walker was the first Little Elm officer to die in the line of duty.

Staff writer Naheed Rajwani contributed to this report.