Benjamin O'Brien Morning was shot twice -- once in the shoulder and once in the wrist -- after a confrontation with police that lasted more than an hour, according to Madisonville City Manager Dave Ward.

Officer Will Anderson fired his weapon when Morning "lunged" toward him during the altercation at 5:30 p.m. Monday, said Ward, who is the appointed spokesman for the city. A preliminary investigation indicated that the officer shot Morning in self-defense, officials said.

Anderson was among the six or more officers who converged on a vacant trailer on Casey Street in search of Travissance Smith, who is wanted on burglary warrants, Ward said. Authorities from the police department and Madison County Sheriff's Office were acting on a "street tip" that Smith was living inside the trailer, Ward said.

But it was Morning, not Smith, who was inside the trailer when the officers forced their way inside, the city manager said, adding that neither owned the trailer.

"They had entered the trailer and he was standing there with a knife drawn in his hand," Ward said. "[Madisonville Police Chief George Sweetin] talked to him for approximately an hour trying to talk him into dropping the knife."

But 21-year-old Morning refused, Ward said, so authorities used pepper spray on him.

That's when Morning "lunged" at the officers and Anderson shot him in the shoulder and the wrist, Ward said. It was unclear how far apart the two were standing or how many officers were inside at the time.

Ward said he didn't know at what point officers learned Morning had warrants for his arrest, but said there were several, including one on a terroristic threat charge. Ward didn't know what charges the other warrants were for or how many there were.

Anderson was the only officer who fired his weapon, Ward said, adding that the officer will be on paid administrative leave pending an inquiry, which is standard procedure in a police-related shooting.

"Because of his family and everything, we did not release his name last night," Ward said.

Texas Ranger Frank Malinak, who is investigating the shooting, said Tuesday that he couldn't comment on the pending investigation.

Morning was airlifted to St. Joseph Regional Health Center in Bryan on Monday, but was transferred to Scott & White Hospital in Temple early Tuesday morning, Ward said. Hospital officials said Morning was in critical condition Tuesday.

Authorities continued to search for Smith Tuesday and asked anyone with information concerning his whereabouts to contact the Madison County Crime Stoppers at 936-348-3100.

• Arena Welch's e-mail address is arena.welch@theeagle.com.

Title:


Comment:


Your Name: (optional - shown on website)

Enter text seen above:

---