LA MARQUE, Texas – A 22-year-old man was fatally shot by an officer Wednesday, according to the La Marque Police Department. Police identified the officer as Jose Santos, who has served the department since October 2014.
Police said the shooting happened in the 1000 block of Pirtle Street around 11:15 p.m. According to officials, the man, identified as Joshua Feast, got out of a vehicle and ran across the street into a driveway when a La Marque officer opened fire.
Police said they have reason to believe the man was armed.
According to Chief Kirk Jackson, the officer was responding to a report that the victim had been sited in the area and he was a part of an ongoing investigation related to incidents in La Marque. Jackson said La Marque residents have made reports of gunshots in the area.
Mayor Pro Tem Keith Bell of La Marque said he knew the man because he went to one of his childcare facilities.
“It is definitely a sad day in our community,” Bell said. “I wanted to also say that this is a tragedy to our community as well. I do not believe that there is any member of our community that would not call this a tragedy simply because a young person in our community, in our city has lost their life unexpectedly.”
Bell said the incident is also tragic for La Marque PD.
“I believe that they are, as we are, are mourning the loss of life of this young man, regardless of the circumstances,” Bell said.
At approximately 11:15 p.m., on Wednesday, December 9, 2020, a La Marque Police Officer was involved in a fatal shooting...
Posted by La Marque Police Department on Wednesday, December 9, 2020
According to the La Marque Police Department, Santos will be placed on administrative leave during an internal investigation.
Santos was involved in another deadly officer-involved shooting while responding to a burglary in December 2017. A Galveston County grand jury later declined to take further action against Santos.
Galveston County Sheriff’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office are expected to conduct independent investigations as well, including the body camera footage.
All LMPD uniformed patrol personnel wear body cameras.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.