A man shot today by a police officer today turns out to not be a suspect in a robbery. According to Corpus Christi Police Chief Mike Markle, The officer who shot the man has been placed on administrative leave.
Police were looking into two robberies at the time. One of the robberies happened at the Hi-Ho convenience store on Baldwin. Police officers were given descriptions of two suspects. Around 4:30 p.m., police spotted a man who matched a description of one of those robbers in the 200 block of Torreon.
In a news conference this evening, Chief Markle explained that the man was noncompliant at first with officers when asked to show his hands. When the man produced his hands, he had an item mistaken as a weapon. An officer shot him. The item turned out to be a large lighter.
Chief Markle said the man sustained nonlife-threatening injuries. Chief Markle met with the man’s family this evening and a specialist would be working with the man to work on his arm.
“I did want to make clear that this individual turned out to not be one of the suspects involved in the robberies. i think it’s very important that we clarify that,” said Chief Markle, “I don’t want nor does the family want the neighbors thinking this individual was involved in something he was not. He was at his own address.”
Chief Markle called the incident an unfortunate chain of events. He said suspects involved in the robberies were arrested.
