HARLINGEN — A burglary suspect remains in critical but stable condition in a local hospital after being shot by a Harlingen police officer.
At about 1:25 a.m. Thursday, officers were sent to the 2100 block of Hale Avenue in reference to an alarm going off at a business.
As the first officer arrived, he encountered the 27-year-old man in the parking lot of the business.
Police said the man was holding a metal rod when he went toward an officer in an aggressive manner after attempting to rob a doctor’s office.
The officer drew his service handgun and ordered the man to drop the weapon, but the man did not comply, police said.
The officer fired multiple times out of fear for his safety, striking the suspect in his chest, Police Chief Michael Kester said at a press conference held Thursday morning.
“The subject did not comply and was shot once, causing him to fall to the ground,” Kester said.
Kester said emergency medical services were sent immediately and transported the suspect to a local hospital. The business had several broken windows and items were taken.
The officer was not injured. Texas Rangers were called in to conduct an investigation into the shooting.
As per standard operating procedure, the officer is on administrative leave with pay.
The identities of the suspect and the officers are not being released at the moment, Kester said. It is an ongoing investigation.
The suspect is facing charges of burglary of the business and aggravated assault on the officer, police said.
