Update: Sheriff's deputy fatally shoots man accused of threatening officers with rifle

Tyler County Sheriff David Hennigan tells KFDM News a deputy has shot and killed a man accused of pointing a rifle at officers who responded to a domestic disturbance call.

It happened shortly after 6 p.m. Monday near Hillister.

Hennigan says the man's wife called 911 at about 5:30 p.m. to report a domestic disturbance at the couple's home on CR 4500, off FM 1013 near Hillister. 

"She claimed the man had fired a round at her," Sheriff Hennigan told KFDM News.

Hennigan says four Tyler County Sheriff's Department officers responded.

He says the woman came outside and remained with officers, away from the man, while they spoke with him.

"They approached the man and he began screaming at them, saying if they got any closer they'd leave in a body bag," Sheriff Hennigan told KFDM News. 

Hennigan says the man was holding a rifle and was outside on the back of his truck near the driveway.

"He was hollering at them not to come any closer," said Hennigan.  "He made the threat and they kept ordering him to put the weapon down.  He jumped off the back of the vehicle and raised the weapon in an aggressive manner.  An officer fired one shot from a rifle.  It struck the man in the lower part of his chest."

Sheriff Hennigan told us the man died at the Tyler County Hospital in Woodville.

No one else was hurt.

Hennigan isn't identifying the man until relatives are notified.

Hennigan told us he immediately contacted the Texas Rangers to investigate.  During their investigation, Hennigan tells KFDM News they discovered a fresh shotgun round at the scene, backing up the woman's claim the man fired at her.

Hennigan said the officer involved in the shooting has been with the department about 12 years.  He didn't want to identify him but said the officer had never been involved in a shooting while working for the Tyler County Sheriff's Department.  He remains on duty with pay.

"There's every indication that he acted exactly as he should have and the shooting is completely justified," Sheriff Hennigan told KFDM News.  "He didn't use excessive force.  He felt like his life and the lives of the other officers and those at the scene were threatened.  There's no wrongdoing on the part of the officer."

Hennigan says this is the first officer-involved shooting since he became sheriff in January. 

Watch 6 News This Morning and stay with KFDM and kfdm.com for the latest on the investigation.