KAUFMAN, Texas — A Kaufman man died of a self-inflicted gunshot following a welfare check turned standoff, according to police.
KAUFMAN, Texas — A Kaufman man died of a self-inflicted gunshot following a welfare check turned standoff, according to police.
The incident began just before 11 a.m. in the 200 block of Cates Drive.
Police were called to the residence on a welfare check, according to Kaufman Police Department Captain Ed Black. "Officers attempted to make entry to check on the individual when someone in the residence fired a shot," stated Black.
Chief Dana Whitaker says an officer was attempting to gain entry into the home through a window and declared himself as a police officer when he heard the gunshot.
"Officers secured the area and requested a SWAT Team," stated Black. "Officers attempted to make contact with the individual for more than two hours with no response."
SWAT officers fired tear gas into the residence in an attempt to get a response from the individual inside but still received no movement, according to Black.
"SWAT then made entry and discovered the resident had shot himself and was deceased," stated Black.
Neighbors say the man had recently become ill and when he was late on his rental payment, which was unusual, police were called to check his welfare.
Some nearby residents who were able to safely evacuate were evacuated and the Kaufman County South Campus was on lockdown.
Multiple law enforcement agencies assisted the Kaufman Police Department including the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Kaufman County Sheriff’s Office, and the Constable’s Office.
