PLEASANTON, Texas – A 35-year-old man was shot and injured by a Pleasanton police officer after confronting him with a large sledgehammer, according to authorities.
The incident happened around 4:18 p.m., Sunday, in the 600 block of Trade Street. Officers were initially dispatched to the area for a domestic violence call.
According to Chief Ronald Sanchez, the man had assaulted an elderly woman and a small child, both relatives of his, before fleeing the scene. When he came back to the area, a patrol officer arrived and found him armed with a large sledgehammer.
The officer issued commands for the man to put down the sledgehammer, but he refused to comply, according to police. That’s when the officer deployed a taser to stop him but was unsuccessful.
The man was reportedly advancing on the officer with the sledgehammer. That’s when the officer shot him in the lower abdomen, according to officials.
More officers arrived at the scene and immediately began administering first aid to the man until he was flown to University Hospital in San Antonio by Airlife helicopter, Chief Sanchez said. The man’s condition is unknown at this time.
The officer that shot the man was uninjured in the incident. Chief Sanchez said he has been placed on administrative leave per the department’s policy. His identity has not been released but he is a two-year veteran with the department.
Chief Sanchez said this incident was the second officer-involved shooting in Pleasanton this year.
The investigation by Texas Rangers and Pleasanton Police Department is ongoing. We’ll bring more updates as they become available.