By Celinda Emison
Abilene Reporter-News
ABILENE, Texas — An Abilene police officer fatally shot an armed suspect who apparently was trying to break into a house to evade capture, officials with the Abilene Police Department reported Thursday.
Dennis L. Willis, 20, of Abilene, was pronounced dead at Hendrick Medical Center early Thursday morning after the shooting in the 2100 block of Shelton Street.
According to reports, Abilene police received a call of an armed suspect near Sears Park o’ Ambler Avenue at 11:45 p.m. Wednesday.
When officers located the suspect, identified as Willis, he reportedly ran into an alley near Shelton Street.
Police said Willis then jumped a fence and tried to force his way into a house. According to reports, officers told Willis to drop his weapon, and the suspect then pointed his gun at the officers.
“The police officer responded to the threat and fired at the suspect, killing him,” said Police Chief Stan Standridge.
The officer, who was not identified, has been placed on paid leave, Standridge said.
Police cordoned off the area for several hours early Thursday morning.
The Abilene Police Department and the Texas Rangers are conducting an investigation, which is protocol in any officerinvolved shooting, Standridge said. Willis’ body was sent to the Tarrant County medical examiner’s office for autopsy, according to Taylor County Justice of the Peace Bryan Smith.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the involved officers and the family of the deceased,” Standridge said in a news release.
The resident of the home that Willis allegedly attempted to enter said she knew Willis, but he did not live there.
She declined to be identified or to offer any other information.
According to records at the Abilene Independent School District, Willis last attended classes in 2008 - at the Travis Opportunity Center, an alternative campus. He was listed as a sophomore, AISD officials said.
Before that, Willis attended Abilene High School.
According to records at the Taylor County Sher-iff’s Office, Willis has been charged with burglary and resisting arrest.
He was arrested in September on both charges and was released from the Taylor County Jail on Dec. 15.
Neighbors along Shelton Street said they heard about the shooting from friends and neighbors.
“I didn’t hear anything,” said Terry Flores, who was sitting on her porch Thursday morning.
Virginia Garcia, who has lived on Shelton Street for more than 50 years, said she did not hear the shooting.
Rachel Rocha, who lives on the corner of Shelton Street and Ambler Avenue, said she heard car doors slamming and saw lights flashing around 1:10 a.m.
“But I was asleep when the shooting occurred,” she said.
Copyright 2011 The E.W. Scripps Company