LISTEN TO STANDOFF AUDIO BELOW
ITALY, Texas — Authorities say at least one of two suspects who stole a police car during a traffic stop has been shot dead in Central Texas. Media reports quoting law enforcement said the other man committed suicide.
The Texas Department of Public Safety said the two suspects assaulted an officer Tuesday evening as he tried to arrest them in Italy, about 50 miles south of Dallas. The department said in a news release that the pair stole his patrol car and a chase ensued. Part of I-35E was shut down for a while Tuesday night, in both directions near the town of Forreston, south of Waxahachie.
Traffic was being diverted onto State Highway 34, U.S. Highway 77 and FM329. While there seems to be some confusion, some reports also state that all lanes of I-35, from Italy to Forreston, might be closed until 10:30 a.m central time, while police continue to investigate and clear the crime scene.
The suspects stopped but refused requests to surrender. The department said officers heard a gunshot inside the police vehicle, and then shot the driver who emerged from the car carrying a firearm. That suspect’s condition was not known officially, but media reports again indicated that both men were dead.
The second suspect was found dead inside the patrol car. The assaulted officer is being treated at a hospital.
The case is being investigated by the Texas Rangers, to determine who fired when and at who.
WFAA.com postedan audio clip of the standoff, which they said could be heard live by more than 1000 people. Here is that clip.