April 27, 2015
Two South Texas officers have been put on paid administrative leave over the fatal shooting of an Army veteran who police say refused to drop a machete.
Victoria police Chief Jeff Craig says Texas Rangers will help investigate Saturday night’s fatal shooting during a disturbance call.
Craig didn’t immediately identify the officers involved in the death of 25-year-old Brandon Lawrence.
Yasmine Lawrence says her husband suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, had a dispute with a neighbor and was confused by the officers.
Craig says the officers identified themselves and more than 30 times told Lawrence to drop the machete, but he refused and advanced toward them. Craig says the officers were forced to open fire.
The chief had no immediate information about whether police knew of Lawrence’s military history.