A man is recuperating from a gunshot injury after law enforcement officers mistakenly arrived at his residence and discharged their weapons, an incident that has ignited public outrage and calls for accountability. The event unfolded in the early hours of Friday morning in a community located near Interstate 20 and Beltline Road.
Thomas Simpson, the homeowner, narrated the harrowing experience, expressing his belief that he was protecting his property from potential intruders. The officers were responding to a 911 call regarding a disturbance but ended up at the wrong location due to an error in dispatch.
The police report states that they knocked on the door for several minutes before Simpson, who was alerted by his barking dogs, opened his garage door. Upon seeing two figures, he raised his firearm, fearing a potential threat. The officers, interpreting this as a dangerous situation, fired their weapons, hitting Simpson in the leg.
Simpson maintains that the officers did not identify themselves. “Had I known they were police, I wouldn’t have raised my gun,” he stated. He went on to describe the ensuing chaos, where he was forced to the ground and his family, including his teenage children, were handcuffed.
The family is now demanding answers and accountability, arguing that the officers used excessive force and did not adhere to standard procedures. “They need to understand that their actions have consequences,” Simpson asserted.
Adding to the controversy, the police are seeking to charge Simpson with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, referring the case to the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office.
As Simpson recovers at home, he is faced with the task of relocating to a new home. Despite his injuries, he is resolute in holding the Grand Prairie Police accountable for their actions. Simpson is optimistic that this incident will lead to a review of police procedures to prevent similar situations in the future. “There has to be something positive to come out of it,” he commented.
The Grand Prairie Police Department has yet to respond to inquiries about whether the officers identified themselves during the incident.