Reported knife threat leads to deadly shooting response by Dallas police, officials say

Dallas police are investigating a fatal confrontation Sunday night on Lemmon Avenue after officers responding to a reported knife threat shot and killed the suspect, the department said. 

Officers were called to the 5100 block of Lemmon Avenue, near the Mahanna Street intersection, after a suspect armed with a knife, threatening to harm others, was reported. 

Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux said when officers knocked on the front door of the apartment, the suspect, later identified as James Thomas, answered the door with a box cutter in his hand and slammed the door in the officers' faces.

"The suspect could be heard saying through the door, 'Put away the Taser, I don't want to f ------ stab myself. I want to get shot,'" said Comeaux. "At the same time, officers could hear the suspect yelling at someone inside the apartment, 'This is your fault.'"

After hearing a woman's voice coming from inside the apartment, officers pushed the door open. Thomas briefly ran back toward the kitchen before charging officers while still holding the knife. Dallas PD said officers gave loud verbal commands for Thomas to drop the knife before firing their weapons.  

Comeaux said officers shot at the suspect, striking him in the upper torso. 

Dallas PD said Thomas was struck multiple times and fell to the ground, and continued to resist. Officers then tased him so they could safely handcuff him. The officers immediately rendered medical aid to the supsect and he was taken to a hospital, where he died.

The chief said this is the third shooting involving a Dallas police officer in 2026.

Officials did say no officers were injured during the incident.

All officers involved have been placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure following an officer-involved shooting. The investigation is ongoing.