Patricio Corban Gamboa: Man Fatally Shot by Arlington Police After Texting About Suicide Plan

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Arlington Police Department Releases Disturbing Texts Sent by Man Fatally Shot by Officers

ARLINGTON, Texas – In a recent development, the Arlington Police Department released screenshots of text messages sent by a 23-year-old man who was fatally shot by officers earlier this month. The messages revealed that the man had expressed his struggle to carry out a plan to end his own life and had wanted the police to be the reason behind it. The department also released portions of body-worn camera footage that depicted officers’ attempts to negotiate with the man in the moments leading up to the tragic incident.

The incident occurred on November 19, when officers were dispatched to a residence on Fallcreek Street in Arlington. Patricio Corban Gamboa had called 911 and informed the dispatcher about his desire to commit “suicide by cop.” The released text messages shed light on his state of mind, with one message stating, “Everything is in place, I’m just having trouble pulling the trigger.” Another message raised concerns about whether a police officer’s vest could withstand a shotgun slug.

Arlington Police Chief Al Jones addressed the media in a news conference, expressing the challenging and stressful nature of such calls for his officers. He emphasized that the department’s primary goal in such situations is to save lives. Alongside the text messages, the department also shared a portion of the body-worn camera footage, showcasing the officers’ efforts to negotiate with Gamboa before the situation escalated into gunfire.

According to Chief Jones, the officers arrived at the scene and positioned themselves approximately 500 feet away from Gamboa’s home, where he awaited their arrival on the front porch. In an attempt to de-escalate the situation, an officer engaged in a phone conversation with Gamboa for several minutes. The body-camera footage captured the officer urging Gamboa to meet him in the middle of the street without a weapon, emphasizing their willingness to help him through the ordeal.

Despite the officer’s pleas, Gamboa abruptly ended the call, left the porch, and started walking towards the police, carrying a rifle. Panicked, the officer alerted his colleagues about Gamboa’s approach, stating, “He’s coming. He’s got a rifle.” The officer repeatedly implored Gamboa to drop the firearm as he approached, emphasizing the need for open communication and assistance. However, Gamboa raised the shotgun, prompting three officers to open fire. Five shots were fired, and Gamboa was subsequently taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Chief Jones confirmed that all three officers involved in the incident have been placed on paid administrative leave, pending the outcome of two separate investigations. The first investigation, led by the Arlington Police Department, will focus on determining if any criminal offenses were committed during the incident. The second investigation, conducted by the department’s internal affairs unit, will assess whether the officers followed proper policies and procedures.

Chief Jones expressed his belief that the officers involved did everything within their power to help the troubled individual and save his life. Tragically, the young man had other plans. The department hopes that the release of these text messages and footage will provide the public with a better understanding of the challenging nature of these situations and the efforts made by the officers to prevent a tragic outcome.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org for assistance.

Link to original article: [source](https://www.dallasnews.com/news/crime/2023/11/19/arlington-police-1-dead-no-officers-injured-in-sunday-morning-shooting/).