Dallas man fatally shot by officers after 911 call; department releases body-camera video and multiple agencies will investigate

Major Nathan Swires of the Dallas Police Criminal Investigations Group said officers shot a man responding to a Feb. 8, 2026 911 call on the 5100 block of Lemon Avenue in Dallas after the man allegedly charged at officers while holding a knife.

"This is the third officer involved shooting for the Dallas Police Department in 2026," Swires said during a press briefing that summarized the department's preliminary findings. He said the initial call came in about 7:27 p.m., the caller called again at 7:32 p.m. saying he had a knife and threatened self-harm, and officers first arrived at about 7:39 p.m.

Swires described officers knocking at the door and seeing the resident's face through a partially opened door. When the door opened further, officers observed the man holding a knife, Swires said. According to the department account, after the door opened again officers briefly pushed it and the man ran toward the kitchen before charging at officers. "The officers gave loud verbal commands to drop the knife before firing at mister Thomas, who was struck multiple times and fell to the ground," Swires said.

After officers struck the man, Swires said they used a Taser so they could handcuff him and begin emergency medical aid. Dallas Fire-Rescue transported the man to a hospital, where he died. Swires said no officers were injured.

The 911 recording released by the department contains the caller identifying himself as "James Thomas" and saying, "I have a knife" and, earlier in the call, "I very much feel like doing harm to myself." The recording also includes the caller saying, "You better pull out your ******* gun," and dispatchers repeatedly urging him to stay on the line.

Swires said the department is releasing relevant portions of body-worn camera video and emphasized that the account is preliminary. The Dallas Police Special Investigations Unit, which Swires said investigates all officer-involved shootings, is conducting the departmental inquiry, and the Dallas County District Attorney's Office will conduct a required independent investigation. The Office of Community Police Oversight has been briefed, Swires said.

The department cautioned that details may change as forensic evidence, witness statements and additional video are reviewed. The SIU and the district attorney's office will release further findings as their reviews proceed.