KERRVILLE, Texas – A 17-year-old who was fatally shot by a Kerrville police officer Sunday afternoon after he was accused of threatening the officer with a knife has been identified.
Kerrville police on Monday identified the teen as Tommy Luke Hranicky.
Authorities were called out to the 900 block of Sidney Baker Street around 3:30 p.m. after receiving reports about Hranicky walking down the street, waving a knife. An officer in a marked patrol unit was the first to arrive on the scene, according to department spokesman Sgt. Jonathan Lamb.
Hranicky "advanced on the officer, who retreated and gave repeated verbal commands for the suspect to stop and drop the knife," Lamb said.
Lamb said the officer feared for his life and defended himself, shooting the teen with his service weapon.
The officer did not have any "less lethal" options, Lamb said.
"Well, first and foremost, Tasers are not always effective, but the reason a Taser was not utilized in this instance is Kerrville Police Department are not equipped with Tasers," he said.
"When faced with a lethal threat like that a non-lethal alternative like pepper spray would probably not have been the best course of action."
The teen was pronounced dead at the scene.
The officer who was involved has been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation by the Texas Rangers and the Kerrville Police Department.
The officer was wearing a body camera, which was activated during the incident, Lamb said.
Police Chief David Knight called the incident "tragic," adding that it "affects the whole community."
"Our thoughts are with the officer, the family of the deceased, and all who have been impacted by this event," he said.