Full Breakdown
Garland Police Shooting of Machete-Wielding Suspect
9/8/2026, 1:17:57 AM
Shooting Incident
Early Monday morning, Garland police officers responded to two 911 calls reporting a man carrying a large machete near a gas station on the 3000 block of Broadway Boulevard. The first call arrived at approximately 2:15 a.m.; a second call followed around 3:20 a.m. confirming the same description. Officers located the individual near the intersection of Broadway Boulevard and Colonel Drive and spent 15–25 minutes attempting to persuade him to drop the weapon. When the man advanced while still holding the machete, officers deployed a taser, which proved ineffective. He continued moving toward the officers, swinging the machete, prompting several officers to fire their weapons. The suspect was taken to a nearby hospital and was pronounced dead. No officers or civilians were injured, and the roadway was reopened by 10:45 a.m.
Police Tactics and Investigation
Garland police indicated that officers employed mental-health de-escalation techniques and less-than-lethal options before resorting to lethal force. The department’s Professional Standards Unit is reviewing body-camera footage, nearby surveillance video, and other evidence. An independent investigation is being conducted by the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office Public Integrity Unit. As standard procedure, the officers involved have been placed on administrative leave. The incident occurred while the city hosted its annual Labor Day parade; officers assigned to parade duties were redirected to manage the crime scene.
Official Statements
Pesta also noted that fewer people were on the roads that morning due to the holiday.
Verbatim Quote
“There were a lot of resources here, trying to negotiate with this man to have a different outcome,” — Matt Pesta, garland police spokesperson
