On the evening of March 8, 2024, a tense situation unfolded at Atwoods Store on 2445 N. Main Street in Paris, Texas, resulting in the death of a suspect. According to reports, a Paris Police Officer responded to a call regarding a suspicious male who had been occupying a dressing room for an extended period, refusing to respond to store employees attempting to close for the night.
The officer persuaded the individual, later identified as 44-year-old Antonio Sessions from Greenville to exit the dressing room. However, when the officer attempted to detain Sessions for further investigation, he resisted and fled towards the store's main exit.
A pursuit ensued, during which Sessions wrestled the officer and managed to gain possession of the officer's taser. Sessions then turned and aimed the taser at the officer, prompting the officer to fire his duty weapon, striking Sessions in the chest.
Despite immediate life-saving efforts by officers and Lamar County Deputies, Sessions succumbed to his injuries after being transported to Paris Regional Medical Center.
Sessions, a convicted felon with outstanding warrants from Rockwall County for Assault on a Public Servant, Resisting Arrest, and Drug charges, had been wanted prior to the incident.
The Texas Rangers have taken over the investigation, as per protocol in such cases. Meanwhile, the officer involved has been placed on administrative paid leave pending an internal review by the Paris Police Department.
Further details will be withheld until the conclusion of the Texas Rangers' investigation, as mandated by the Texas Open Records Act.
