Lubbock police Chief Seth Herman praised the actions of a patrol officer who shot a man who reportedly threatened people with a firearm during a Sunday domestic disturbance at a Central Lubbock home.
Meanwhile, 31-year-old Westley Russell faces felony charges stemming from an initial investigation.
Russell was booked into the Lubbock County Detention Center after he was released from University Medical Center where he was treated for gunshot wounds.
He remains held at the jail and his bond is set at $25,000.
He faces a second-degree felony count of aggravated assault, according to Herman, who released additional details about the incident during a news conference Monday afternoon at police headquarters.
Police respond to request for help at Lubbock home
Herman said a patrol officer responded to a request from Russell’s ex-girlfriend who was moving out of their home. The woman wanted an officer to escort her while she retrieved her property.
The officer met with the woman and her brother at a nearby business before heading to the residence in the 3400 block of 38th Street.
Herman said the woman warned the officer that Russell had a firearm.
Herman said the volatile nature of the situation makes civil standby requests one of the most dangerous calls to which police officers respond.
“Civil standby is basically two parties who are not in concert and there’s an element of consternation between the two, and so they request police presence to quell any potential violence between the two groups or clarifying any issues that may be resulting from the ongoing strife,” he said.
The group arrived at the scene about 1:50 p.m. and entered the home where they encountered Russell, who Herman said became “extremely agitated very rapidly.”
Herman said Russell reportedly retrieved a weapon he stored nearby and pointed it at the woman’s brother then at the officer, who fired at Russell twice, striking him.
The officer tried to give first aid to Russell, who continued to be uncooperative, Herman said.
A backup officer arrived and Russell was taken by ambulance to the hospital where he was treated before he was booked into the Detention Center.
Herman said a second charge of aggravated assault against a peace officer might be filed as a result of the investigation, which is being led by the Lubbock Metropolitan Special Crimes Unit.
Meanwhile, he said the officer is on administrative leave per department policy and an internal investigation is also pending.
“I could not be prouder of our officer’s actions,” he said. “He exemplified exactly what we expect of our law enforcement professionals. He defended a third party without hesitation.”
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Lubbock police chief shares update in Sunday officer-involved shooting
Reporting by Gabriel Monte, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal / Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
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