An assault suspect was shot by police after pulling a knife on an officer who was trying to arrest him for assaulting at least one person in the parking lot of the Walmart at Jones-Maltsburger and Rector on the north side, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
Chief William McManus says officers were called to the location late Saturday might on a report of a man, who is believed to be homeless, hitting a customer with a stick as he walked to his car.
"When the officer arrived, people were pointing into the drainage ditch," McManus said.. "The officer saw the individual and he ran down into the drainage ditch."
That's when the suspect pulled a knife, and also threatened the officer with a large chunk of asphalt.
"The officer pulled his Taser, but the Taser did not work on him," McManus said.. "Because the officer was standing in water, the officer got a shock."
The officer then pulled his gun and shot the suspect three times in the upper torso.. He was rushed to the hospital in critical condition.
The officer, a rookie with ten months experience on the force, was not hurt.. The officer will be placed on desk duty during an investigation, which is standard procedure.
McManus says the drainage ditch has become a hangout for homeless people.. A shopping cart and backpack believed to belong to the suspect were found in the ditch.