Dallas Police Shooting: Martin Bennis Incident Near Hillcrest and Far Hills Lane

Initial 911 Call and Police Response

• 🚨 A frantic 911 call reported a mental health emergency involving a son, with the mother stating, "My my son is suic everybody."
• 📍 Dallas police responded to a call at Far Hill Lane in North Dallas, where officers encountered a man later identified as Martin Bennis, 46.

Circumstances Leading to the Encounter

• 🔪 Bodycam video shows Bennis approaching officers with a knife in his hand.
• 🩸 Police Chief Daniel Ko stated that officers noticed blood on Bennis, and a witness reported he had injured himself while cutting off his ankle monitor.
• ⚠️ This incident prompted a warrant for insufficient bond related to a previous aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge.
• 💬 A witness informed police that Bennis had expressed a desire to die and would kill himself if officers entered the residence.

Tactical Response and Outcome

• 🧠 A mental health clinician and medics responded to the scene.
• 🚁 Hours later, SWAT arrived and utilized tactics including a robot and drone before entering the home.
• 🛌 Bodycam footage shows SWAT entering a bedroom where Bennis was lying down with the knife.
• ⚡ After continued communication, officers deployed a taser.
• 💔 SWAT attempted to administer aid, but Bennis was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigation and Family Statements

• ⚖️ The Dallas Police Department's general orders state tasers can only be used with active resistance.
• 🔍 The DPD's Special Investigation Unit is now handling the case, and the community police oversight board and Dallas County District Attorney's Office have been notified.
• 🌟 Bennis's family described him as a bright individual with an infectious sense of humor, who loved his family.