The San Marcos Police Department responded to an incident along Interstate 35 in the early morning hours of Saturday, April 10 that resulted in the death of one man.
According to the department, San Marcos officers were called to the scene after reports came in about a man walking in traffic on southbound Interstate 35 near Exit 204. Officers said they watched the man walk along the retaining wall and then cross traffic, after which time they attempted to detain him.
As officers tried to get the man off of the road, they discovered he was carrying a knife and said he moved “aggressively toward them.” SMPD says de-escalation attempts failed and the man ran into traffic, nearly causing a wreck, before turning back around, raising the knife, and charging at officers in a “striking or slashing motion.” Officers opened fire, striking the man. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
He had no identification, so that determination will be left up to the Hays County Medical Examiner, police said.
Three investigations are currently underway, including an independent investigation by the Texas Rangers Division of the Department of Public Safety, an investigation by the San Marcos Criminal Investigation Division, and an internal SMPD investigation. Two officers have been placed on administrative leave per department policy.
