****UPDATE**** July 8, 2013 – 10:30 AM
The officers involved in this incident are: Officer Ricky Matthews and Officer Carmella Smith. Officer Matthews was placed on administrative leave per department policy.
PREVIOUSLY POSTED TO NIXLE:
On July 7, 2013 at approximately 2:45 AM, officers were dispatched to 1615 S. Jackson about a suspect causing problems. Two officers arrived and a male suspect confronted them outside. The suspect pulled a pistol out of his waistband and pointed it at the officers. Believing the suspect was going to shoot them with the pistol, one of the officers fired his weapon and struck the suspect. The suspect was transported to a local hospital where he died. The suspect’s identity is not being released pending notification of next of kin. Justice of the Peace Debbie Horn ordered an autopsy. Preliminary results will be made available when known. The officer who shot the suspect was placed on three 3 days administrative leave. Special Crimes continues to investigate this shooting and asks for anyone with information about this incident to call 378-9468.
****UPDATE**** July 7, 2013 – 11:50 AM
The suspect in this case is identified as German Mata, age 35. (Corrected age from initial release of 33 years old.) Autopsy is scheduled Monday morning in Lubbock. The investigation has revealed Mata pointed a realistic replica of a pistol at the officers.
