Denton County deputy placed on leave after shooting 21-year-old

by Heather M. Goodwin of Star Local News

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Officials say this is standard procedure.

KRUM — An unnamed Denton County sheriff's deputy has been placed on administrative leave pending a complete investigation into a shooting on Monday.

Roberto Carlos Hernandez, 21, of Argyle, died at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital at about 9:30 p.m. from gunshot wounds. He was shot several times by the unnamed patrol deputy.

"At this time, we are not releasing the name of the deputy, but it's standard procedure for a deputy to be placed on leave following a shooting," said Tom Reedy, public information officer. "Now, the incident will be investigated by the Texas Rangers. They'll take witness statements, look at the film from the dashboard camera, and try to determine if shooting fell within parameters of deadly force."

The incident began at approximately 4:25 p.m. The patrol deputy was traveling westbound on FM 1173, which is just west of Krum. He was in a marked patrol vehicle when he clocked a white Honda Accord on radar speeding eastbound on FM 1173, according to officials.

The turned around and began pursuing the vehicle with his lights flashing. The vehicle sped ahead and turned into the driveway of a residence on the south side of the highway just past the intersection with Odneal Road.

Reedy was unsure if anyone was in the residence when the vehicle turned into the driveway, but he said they stopped "far behind" the home's garage.

Once the Honda Accord pulled into the driveway, the driver, later identified as Michael Chadwick Fry, 28, of Bartonville, moved into the back seat and the passenger, later identified as Hernandez, took his place in the driver's seat, Reedy said. The deputy stopped his patrol vehicle approximately 20 feet behind the suspects' car and told the two men to exit the vehicle as he approached on foot. The driver put the vehicle in reverse, accelerated toward the deputy and slammed into the deputy's vehicle. The deputy fired at the driver, striking him several times.

Fry was taken into custody on a warrant for probation violation on a DWI conviction. He is currently being held in the Denton County Jail in lieu of a $2,000 bond.

The deputy, who was placed on leave, has been employed with the sheriff's office since 2001. He has been a patrol deputy since 2007.

"I can't remember another officer involved shooting in the eight years I've been with the county," Reedy said.

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