Crime
26-year-old Arthur Armstrong Jr shot and killed by police in DeSoto, Texas
On December 13, 2024, at approximately 10:39 a.m., the DeSoto Police Department received a 911 hang-up call from a residence in the 1000 block of Hunter’s Creek Drive.
Upon reestablishing contact, the caller, identified as 26-year-old Arthur Lee Armstrong, Jr., informed dispatchers that he was armed with “several” weapons and intended to harm police officers.
A second caller later confirmed that Armstrong was at the residence with multiple other occupants and armed with a knife.
DeSoto patrol officers promptly responded to the scene.
Upon their arrival, Armstrong confronted them in the front yard, wielding a knife in each hand. Ignoring repeated commands to stop and drop his weapons, Armstrong advanced aggressively toward the officers.
As Armstrong continued closing the distance, one officer discharged a single round from a patrol rifle, striking Armstrong in the chest.
Officers quickly disarmed Armstrong and initiated life-saving measures on the scene. Armstrong was then transported to Central Methodist Hospital by DeSoto EMS, where he was pronounced deceased upon arrival.
The DeSoto Police Department requested that the Grand Prairie Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit conduct an independent investigation into the incident. Additionally, the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office Public Integrity Unit dispatched an investigator to provide an independent review of the matter.
In accordance with department policy, the officer who discharged the weapon has been placed on paid administrative leave while these investigations are underway.
The DeSoto Police Department recognizes the significant impact this incident has on the community, as well as the individuals and families involved. A comprehensive investigation is being conducted to determine the circumstances surrounding the event, and the department is committed to maintaining transparency throughout the process.
To provide further details, a press conference is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Monday, December 16, 2024, at the DeSoto Police Department headquarters. Community members and media are encouraged to attend for updates on the investigation.
Crime
2 Christian County deputies killed in the line of duty, suspect Richard Bird also dead
The name of the second deputy has not yet been publicly released pending family notification.
Christian County, Mo. — A massive multi-agency manhunt in Christian County has ended with the suspect dead, but not before claiming the lives of two sheriff’s deputies and injuring two others.
According to Brad Cole, the suspect, Richard Bird, was shot and killed by law enforcement officers early Tuesday morning near the roundabout on State Highway 160 close to Reeds Spring.
Authorities confirmed that two deputies with the Christian County Sheriff’s Office were killed in the line of duty during the operation.
One of the fallen deputies has been identified as 30-year-old Deputy Gabriel Ramirez.
The name of the second deputy has not yet been publicly released pending family notification.
In addition to the two fatalities, one Christian County deputy and one deputy from the Webster County Sheriff’s Office were wounded during the exchange of gunfire.
Sheriff Cole stated that their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
The violence began around 4:00 p.m. Monday when a Christian County deputy conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of State Highway 160 and Route HH, south of Highlandville.
During that stop, Deputy Ramirez was fatally shot, prompting a Blue Alert and a large-scale manhunt for Bird.
After Bird’s vehicle was located abandoned, officers from across the Ozarks converged on the area. Sheriff Cole said approximately 100 officers, deputies, and state troopers participated in the search effort, along with federal partners including the U.S. Marshals Service, the FBI, and the ATF.
The search continued for hours into the early morning. A helicopter operated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol detected a moving heat signature in a wooded area near Reeds Spring. As deputies approached the location, Bird reportedly opened fire. Law enforcement officers returned fire, fatally striking the suspect and ending the threat.
While the suspect was neutralized, the outcome has left the community in mourning. Two deputies lost their lives in the line of duty, and two others were injured.
Sheriff Cole described the loss as devastating for the department and the broader community. Families of the fallen deputies are now grieving, and colleagues across multiple agencies are reflecting on the risks law enforcement officers face daily.
The investigation into the incident remains ongoing as authorities continue to process the scene and review the circumstances surrounding the shootings.