Updated Tuesday, August 25 at 2:30 p.m.
(Longview, TX) On August 25, 2015 at 3:42 a.m., Longview Police Officers were investigating suspicious activity at 559 Mobberly Avenue. An individual later identified as 17 year-old Joshua Kennon Thomas was in the parking lot of This Our Store. As Thomas walked around the corner of the store where officers were standing he produced what appeared to be a handgun out of the waistband of his pants. One Longview officer fired his weapon several times, striking Thomas. Thomas was transported to Good Shepherd Medical Center with non life-threatening injuries. As in all officer involved shootings that involve Longview Police Officers, the Texas Rangers were contacted to conduct the investigation to ensure that our Agency remains transparent throughout the investigative process.
During the course of the investigation, police were able to determine that the weapon the suspect had was a Umarex SA9 CO2 powered pistol. This CO2 pistol very closely resembles a semi-auto handgun. The investigation of the shooting has now been turned over to the Texas Rangers, and they will conduct the investigation to completion. While the Texas Rangers conduct their investigation, the Longview Police Department’s Internal Affairs Office will also be performing their own internal investigation to ensure that all Longview Police Department policies and procedures were followed. Once the investigation is completed by the Texas Rangers, it will be sent to the Gregg County District Attorney’s Office for review and presentation to a Gregg County Grand Jury. The three officers have been placed on routine paid administrative leave as a part of this ongoing investigation.
As the investigation continues more factual details, including the names of the Police Officers involved, will be released.