A Richardson police officer shot an armed robbery suspect Monday afternoon during an encounter that followed a foot chase through a commercial stretch of East Belt Line Road, according to the Richardson Police Department.
Officers were called at approximately 4 p.m. to a business in the 1400 block of East Belt Line Road after reports of a robbery in progress. When officers arrived, the suspect had already fled the scene on foot. Responding officers were told the individual was armed. Officers located a person matching the suspect’s description walking east of the business and attempted to make contact. During that encounter, an officer-involved shooting occurred. The suspect was struck and transported to a local hospital. No officers were injured. The suspect’s condition has not been released.
Images from aerial news cameras showed yellow crime scene tape wrapped around the front of a Dave’s Hot Chicken restaurant along the corridor, extending into part of the street and surrounding parking lot. Richardson police have not released the suspect’s identity, confirmed whether the suspect pointed a weapon at officers, or disclosed additional details about the circumstances that led to the shooting.
Both eastbound and westbound lanes of Belt Line Road were closed between North Plano Road and North St. Johns Drive as of late Monday afternoon while investigators worked the scene. Drivers were urged to avoid the area and seek alternate routes.
The Richardson Police Department’s investigation is ongoing. Additional details are expected to be released as they are confirmed.