Fort Worth law enforcement officers fatally shoot 2 armed men; 2 others shot at scene

A Fort Worth police officer and a fire department arson investigator fatally shot two armed men when they came upon them during an “altercation” early Wednesday, authorities said.

A man and woman were also found with gunshot wounds at the scene but it was not clear under what circumstances they were shot, Fort Worth Police Chief Neil Noakes said during a press conference at the site of the shooting. He did not describe their condition. They were taken to a hospital, he said.

The officer and arson investigator were responding to a call when about 12:30 a.m. they drove past the intersection of Ross Avenue and NW 32nd Street, in northwest Fort Worth, and saw an “altercation,” Noakes said.

The officer and arson investigator shot the armed men, Noakes said. One was pronounced dead at the scene and the other died at a hospital. Their names have not been released.

“This was a very dynamic scene that just came out of nowhere,” Noakes said. “Officers weren’t even trying to respond to this scene when they came by.”

The officer and arson investigator were equipped with body-worn video cameras, but as of 5 a.m. recordings of the shooting had not been viewed by investigators, Noakes said.

The officers were teamed to address illegal firework activity for the July Fourth holiday.

The street where the shooting occurred was littered Wednesday morning with used fireworks, which also filled garbage bags piled at three corners of the intersection. It is not clear whether the people involved in the shooting were connected to a party taking place in the neighborhood.

The police department major case and internal affairs units and the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s Office are investigating the shooting under standard procedure.

This is a developing story. For the latest updates, sign up for breaking news alerts.