LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – According to Lubbock Police Chief Seth Herman, a 52-year-old man, who was reported as suicidal by people close to him, is dead after an officer-involved shooting.
They informed LPD that Steven Chad Myers made suicidal posts on social media. They said he was also under the influence of medication and alcohol. Three officers arrived at the City of Lubbock Cemetery where he was sitting in his truck in the driver’s seat.
Officer approached the open door where he was sitting and talked to him for over 30 minutes. They asked him to step out when he started to reach across the truck.
Myers refused after multiple commands while they tried to physically detain him from grabbing a handgun. The three officers then opened fire and he was pronounced dead at the scene by EMS.
Chief Herman said after investigation, the gun he was reaching for was a replica of an “HK handgun,” which is an airsoft gun.
LPD releases new details on officer-involved shooting at Lubbock Cemetery(Lubbock Police Department)
LPD releases new details on officer-involved shooting at Lubbock Cemetery(Lubbock Police Department)
The investigation is ongoing and the three officers, per standard department procedure and policy, are on administrative leave. One of the officers is a mental health peace officer.
Herman said the three officers “did an outstanding job” trying to deescalate the situation. He said “unfortunately” Myers’ actions required the officers to respond with lethal force.
Herman said he had at least “four different encounters” with law enforcement. One of those encounters was “emergency detention in an involuntary capacity related to a mental health crisis.”
He sought treatment on his own twice, according to LPD, and he was released once after he received medical treatment .
He said airsoft weapons are “unfortunately, very common.” In this case, the airsoft gun was altered to look like a real gun.
The investigation is still ongoing.
The suicide and crisis lifeline is available 24/7. The number to call or text is 988.
For more information from Texas Health and Human Services, click here.
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