ARLINGTON (KRLD/AP) - Police say a Texas officer who fatally shot a woman while aiming at a dog that was running at him and barking had completed his training only a month before.
Arlington Police Chief Will Johnson said Friday that the 25-year-old officer had completed academy training in February and was released from supervised patrol duty on July 1.
Johnson said the officer hadn’t fired his service weapon in the line of duty before Thursday, when he shot 30-year-old Margarita Brooks in the chest.
Police, Arlington Fire and paramedics responded to a 911 call about a woman passed out north of the Lamar Boulevard-Collins Street intersection at about 5:15 Thursday.
The caller directed police to the spot where the woman was lying down. An officer spotted the woman in the grass behind a business and approached her. When the officer called out to the woman to see if she was okay, police say the dog started running at the officer and barking. The officer fired his gun several times at the dog, but he hit the woman.
The Arlington Fire Department confirmed Friday that Brooks is the daughter of an Arlington Fire Captain.
"Everything about this call is an absolute tragedy. Our hearts are broken for the Brooks family and the police officer involved," Johnson said.
The dog, which investigators think belonged to Brooks, suffered a graze wound and has been placed in quarantine.
Footage of the shooting recorded by the officer’s body-worn camera was released Friday at the news conference where Johnson spoke. Johnson said Brooks’ family has been shown the video. You can watch the video below.
He said criminal and administrative investigations are underway.
*WARNING* This video contains graphic content.