Fugitive Bodyguard for US Congresswoman Fatally Shot in Texas Standoff
A dramatic and chaotic SWAT standoff in Dallas, Texas, has ended tragically with the fatal shooting of a man identified as the fugitive bodyguard of Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett. The individual, reportedly known as Mike King, died on Wednesday night following a police pursuit that culminated in a violent confrontation at a hospital parking garage. Sources have indicated to CBS News that King was a wanted man, facing accusations of impersonating a police officer.
The incident unfolded shortly before midnight when the fugitive led law enforcement officers on a chase that ended in the parking garage of the Children’s Medical Center Dallas. He subsequently barricaded himself inside a vehicle. The tense situation escalated when authorities deployed tear gas, forcing King out of the car. Police have stated that King then produced a firearm, prompting officers to open fire, resulting in his death.
Reports suggest that King operated a business named “Off Duty Police Services,” which specialised in providing off-duty police officers for security roles. During the course of his operations, King is alleged to have used multiple aliases. Officials have not yet officially confirmed his true identity. The accusations against him include posing as a law enforcement officer while running his business. Furthermore, it is alleged that he drove a replica undercover police car, complete with stolen license plates, as part of his recruitment efforts for officers.
While Mike King was not a sworn police officer, he had a history of working in various security capacities. Crucially, this included providing security services for Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, both in Washington D.C. and within Texas, according to CBS News. He was a visible presence by her side during her recent campaign for the Democratic Party’s nomination for the Texas Senate, a race she ultimately lost to James Talarico.
The exact duration for which Dallas police had been searching for King remains unclear. However, investigators were reportedly actively tracking him in the days leading up to the fatal shooting on Wednesday night. Information obtained by CBS News suggests that King played a significant role in organising security for many of Congresswoman Crockett’s events during his time on her detail.
Official documents have reportedly indicated that a person named Mike King received payment for ‘security services’ from Crockett’s campaign as recently as last year. This hiring occurred despite King’s alleged criminal history, though specific details of his past offences have not yet been made public.
The Daily Mail has reached out to Crockett’s office for comment on the matter.
King’s involvement in Crockett’s security detail comes at a time when her campaign had garnered a reputation for its assertive approach towards the press. There have been instances where journalists were reportedly escorted out of events by guards, and the campaign was perceived as being combative with media personnel.
In two separate incidents in late February, Crockett’s campaign took the step of calling the police on a CNN reporter and a correspondent from The Atlantic. Both journalists were subsequently escorted off the premises during campaign rallies.
Congresswoman Crockett, a prominent figure in the Democratic Party, recently lost her bid for the Senate nomination to James Talarico. She expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome, alleging that voting irregularities contributed to her defeat. Talarico, a 36-year-old state representative, secured his victory with 52.4 percent of the vote, compared to Crockett’s 46.2 percent, a win attributed in part to his effective social media strategy.
Meanwhile, the Republican race for the Senate seat between incumbent Senator John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton is still unresolved, heading towards a contentious runoff election scheduled for May 26.
In a separate development, the State Supreme Court ruled against Crockett’s request for an extension of voting hours for Dallas residents. This decision came after Republican-led changes to polling station arrangements had caused confusion among voters. Democratic officials have voiced concerns that the restrictions on polling locations amounted to an attempt to disenfranchise voters, leading to instances where residents in Dallas and areas north of Austin were initially turned away from their designated polling stations and redirected to different precincts.
Following the announcement of her election loss, a visibly disappointed Crockett addressed her supporters. She accused Republicans of deliberately slowing down the tabulation of election results, stating, “Unfortunately, this is what Republicans like to do and so they specifically targeted Dallas County and I think we all know why.”
