2 Slain Police Officers 'Never Had A Chance' in Texas Shooting, Chief Says
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Two police officers who were responding to a disturbance call were killed Saturday in a South Texas town after a suspect met the officers at the door and shot them, police say.
The shooting happened so quickly that "our officers did not draw their weapons, did not fire, never stood a chance – never had a chance," McAllen, Texas, Police Chief Victor Rodriguez said in a statement to the media, USA Today reported.
The police department learned about the fatal shooting when other officers stopped by the scene to do a routine check, Rodriguez said.
The officers were responding to reports of a violent disturbance, Rodriguez said. "They were doing their job. That is what we are supposed to do."
The officers approached the door of the residence after meeting people outside the house who reported that a disturbance or assaults were occurring inside, Rodriguez said.
The McAllen police officers were shot on the south side of the city and transported to an area hospital, said Lt. Christopher Olivarez, spokesman for the Texas Department of Public Safety.
The suspect died by suicide after being confronted by police after the incident, Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez identified the officers who were killed as Edelmiro Garza Jr., 45, and Ismael Chavez, 39.
"Two of our finest were killed in the line of duty while working to protect residents in their community," tweeted Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.
"The hearts of every Texan are broken tonight as two of our finest in the #CityofMcAllen Police Department have paid the ultimate sacrifice," reads a tweet from the Office of the Texas Attorney General.
