DALLAS — A routine traffic stop early Sunday morning escalated into an officer-involved shooting after a passenger allegedly assaulted a Dallas police officer, authorities said.
The incident occurred around 2:00 a.m. near the Dallas Country Club, in the area of Mockingbird and Preston Road in the heart of Highland Park.
According to the Dallas Police Department, an officer attempted to stop a vehicle that was driving without headlights. The passenger exited the car without warning, charged at the officer, and struck him in the face at least once.
“He approached the officer without any warning. They were driving without headlights, and he approached the officer without any warning and struck him once in the face at least once,” a Dallas Police Department spokesperson said.
The officer then drew his weapon and opened fire. Both the passenger and the officer were transported to the hospital for treatment. Updates on their conditions were not immediately available.
The driver of the vehicle reportedly sped away from the scene. Police are still searching for the driver.
The Dallas Police Department said the investigation remains ongoing.