Police Say Man Officer Shot Was Holding Spoon

Recording of 911 call reporting man trying to break in.

According to Texarkana, Texas Police Department, “Subsequent investigation has revealed that the previously described metal object was in fact a silver metallic spoon, approximately seven inches in length; that was being held by Grigsby in a manner consistent with someone holding a knife. The bowl of the spoon was concealed by Grigsby’s closed fist with the shank of the spoon protruding from the bottom of the closed fist giving the appearance of a knife blade. A witness at the scene has confirmed that he believed the suspect had a knife when he was approaching the officer.”

On December 15, 2014 at approximately 2:00am, Texarkana, Texas Police responded to a burglary in progress call where the suspect was inside the garage of a residence near the 2700 block of Page Street. The resident advised dispatch that the suspect was using some sort of tool to break out a window to gain entry in to the residence. An officer arrived on scene and approached the residence’s garage, which had a large tarp covering the entry. When the officer entered the garage he found the suspect inside. The suspect then came toward the officer in an aggressive manner with a metal object in his hand. The officer ordered the man to stop, but he continued toward the officer. The officer fired one shot, which struck the suspect in the chest.

Dennis Grigsby, 35, of Texarkana, Texas was taken to St. Michael Hospital where he later died. His body has been sent to the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Science for an autopsy.

Texarkana Texas Police Department has called the Texas Rangers to investigate this incident. The officer has been placed on Administrative leave till the investigation is done.

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