Jago Times "English Edition" Best Online Newspaper
Dallas Chief of Police Eddie Garcia released body camera footage on Monday depicting the events leading up to a fatal shooting involving police officers.
According to Garcia, the incident began when a woman called 911 reporting that a man armed with a knife and machete was threatening her and a dog in a wooded area behind an apartment complex at 5850 Beltline Road. Upon arrival around 6:45 p.m., officers located the man, identified as 34-year-old Cody Watkins, and the injured woman inside a large tent.
Police instructed Watkins to drop the weapon and exit the tent, but he refused. After the woman exited with police assistance, officers continued efforts to persuade Watkins to surrender peacefully. Despite attempts using non-lethal methods such as a stun gun, pepper spray, and foam bullets, Watkins remained uncooperative.
After approximately 50 minutes, Watkins allegedly charged toward officers while still holding the knife, prompting two officers to discharge their firearms, striking him at least once. Officers provided first aid until Dallas Fire-Rescue paramedics arrived, but Watkins succumbed to his injuries around 8:50 p.m.
Chief Garcia emphasized that multiple non-lethal tactics were attempted before the use of lethal force, which was deployed in response to Watkins advancing with a knife and posing a threat to officers’ safety.
The woman involved sustained minor injuries and is expected to recover. Watkins had a criminal history, including charges related to assault-family violence, fraud, unlawful carrying of a weapon, and drug offenses.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing, led by the Dallas Police Special Investigations Unit, with oversight from the Dallas County District Attorney’s office and the Office of Community Police Oversight.