Officer-involved shooting in Winnie

A Chambers County deputy shot and killed a man with a knife who was attacking another man in front of a nursing home on Highway 124 in Winnie, according to information provided to KFDM News by Chambers County Sheriff Joe LaRive.

It's the first officer-involved shooting in Winnie in at least 20 years.

The deputy shot a 29-year-old man at about 2:30 p.m. Friday at Highway 124 near Leblanc Road in Winnie.

LaRive told KFDM News that according to witnesses, two men who work together were fighting in a truck.  One man kicked the other man in the face. The man who was being attacked stopped the truck on Highway 124 and ran away. The other man chased him a short distance with a knife and began stabbing him. They fell to the ground and the attacker continued stabbing the man. 

Several people witnessed the attack and one alerted an off-duty Chambers County deputy who was working security at a nearby credit union that had been robbed Thursday. 

LaRive says the off-duty Chambers County deputy ran over to the scene and demanded that the attacker put down the knife.

He told us the deputy made the demand several times but the attacker wouldn't listen and lunged at the deputy. LaRive says the deputy, fearing for his life, shot the man once. He died at the scene.

The 44-year-old stabbing victim is recovering from several stab wounds. He's listed in good condition at a hospital.

The Texas Rangers are investigating the fatal shooting. The deputy is on leave with pay, which is standard procedure in such a case.

FROM CHAMBER'S COUNTY SHERIFF JOE LARIVE -

On Friday, February 5, 2010, at approximately 2:15pm, a vehicle occupied by a 44 year old black male driver and a 29 year old Hispanic male passenger, was traveling north bound on Hwy 124 near LeBlanc Road in Winnie, Texas. For some unknown reason, the Hispanic male attacked the black male, kicking him in the face. The black male stopped the truck and fled on foot as the Hispanic male pulled a knife and began stabbing him. The Hispanic male chased the black male a short distance, before they fell to the ground. The Hispanic male continued stabbing the black male on the ground.  Several people witnessed the attack.

A Deputy with the Chambers County Sheriff’s Office was working an off duty job at a credit union in the area. The credit union had been robbed the day before in an unrelated incident.  A witness notified the Deputy of the attack and the Deputy responded to the scene on foot. The Deputy observed the Hispanic male stabbing the black male. The Deputy repeatedly identified himself as a police officer and ordered the Hispanic male to drop the knife. The Hispanic male refused to drop the knife and lunged at the Deputy.  The Deputy, fearing for his life and the life of the victim, fired one shot, killing the Hispanic male. 

The black male victim was transported to a Beaumont Hospital where he was being treated for multiple stab wounds. He is listed in good condition. The case is being investigated by the Texas Rangers, as is normal procedure.  An autopsy has been ordered for the deceased.   No names are being released at this time.