DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF News) Arlington – Police say an Arlington Officer responding to a welfare check reportedly accidentally shot a woman laying in the grass as he defended himself against an unrestrained dog,40 pound lab mix, that was charging him. The woman is identified as 30-year-old Margarita Brooks. Police Chief Will Johnson said the officer involved was a 25-year-old man who graduated from the Police Academy in February 2019.
It happened Thursday evening after 5 PM near Cantor Drive and North Collins. When the officer located the woman in a grassy area, an unrestrained dog came after him. He fired at the dog and police say the preliminary investigation indicates he accidentally struck the woman in the chest. She later died at the hospital.
“Miss Brooks was never the intended target to the officer’s use of force,” said Arlington Police Chief Will Johnson. “But with that said we know as police officers tat we are accountable for our actions and our actions are subject to thorough review and investigation,” he said.
The Arlington Police Department is conducting two separate investigations to determine if the officer followed training and procedure.
The incident was captured on body cam and the footage will be reviewed as investigators work to sort out what happened.
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