Four officers are on administrative leave as investigators examine a deadly encounter that began with a mental health crisis call.
ARLINGTON, Texas — Arlington police have opened criminal and administrative investigations after an officer fatally shot a 56-year-old man during a late-night response to a reported mental health crisis, placing all four responding officers on administrative leave.
The parallel reviews will examine different parts of the Sept. 17 encounter at a home in the 1700 block of West Lovers Lane. The department’s Homicide Unit will conduct the criminal investigation to determine whether any criminal offense occurred, while Internal Affairs will examine whether officers followed department policies and procedures.
Police said officers were dispatched at about 10:44 p.m. after a 911 caller reported that a man inside the home was making suicidal comments and had access to knives. Four officers arrived and were met by the caller, who led them toward the room where the man was located.
As officers approached, they heard yelling and learned that a family member was in the room with the man, according to police. Officers opened the door and removed the family member. Police said that as one officer entered the room, the man became upset and produced a large knife.
The officer gave multiple commands for the man to drop the knife, but police said he did not comply and continued moving toward the officer while holding it. The officer then fired multiple times, striking the man. That description represents the department’s initial account of the encounter while the investigations remain open.
Police said officers immediately provided first aid. Paramedics transported the man to a hospital, where he later died. No officers or other people inside the residence were reported injured.
The man’s identity had not been publicly released as of Saturday. Authorities also had not announced findings from either review, and the information released so far represents an early account of an incident that remains under investigation.
The administrative leave for the four responding officers is consistent with the department’s stated procedure following an officer’s use of deadly force. Administrative leave by itself does not establish that an officer violated policy or committed a criminal offense.
The reviews will follow a crisis call that changed rapidly after officers entered the home to remove another person from the room. Police have not publicly announced when either investigation will be completed or when additional findings will be released.
Author note: Last updated September 19, 2026.