A Denton police officer reportedly shot a man who was charging at officers Sunday afternoon with a metal rod at a pickleball court, according to officials. According to Denton PD, the shooting took place at the pickleball court, located in the 1100 block of Riney Road. Several 911 calls were made about a man who appeared to be drunk at the court.
Responding officers reportedly found the man on the north side of the courts on top of a fence, holding a metal rod, and he reportedly told officers they would have to kill him as he threatened them with the rod. Police say they tried to verbally de-escalate the situation, but had to stun the man with a taser when that did not work. When the man continued to charge them, one of the officers shot the man multiple times, then rendered aid until he could be taken to a local hospital, where the man was pronounced dead.
No officers were hurt in the incident, and the identity of the man has not been released, according to officials. The Texas Rangers are investigating the shooting, as well as Denton PD internal affairs.
