According to the sheriff’s office, Tarrant County Sheriff’s deputies fatally shot Friday, the 19-year-old.
The Sheriff’s Office issued a press release on Saturday regarding the fatal shooting of Christopher Royo that occurred Friday afternoon.
Arrested the previous week for an aggravated attack with a deadly weapon, Royo has been linked to the Tarrant County Jail and returned to his residence in the city of Hartom.
Authorities said a mental health warrant was issued to Royo after he showed unstable behavior.
Royo’s family told Star Telegram in Fort Worth that they went to the judge and requested a mental health warrant because they wanted to get help from him.
The family reported that Royo had been locked in his room for several days and had not eaten, causing him to experience paranoia. Christopher’s brother Jorge Royo told the newspaper that police recommended a warrant because Christopher didn’t want to be hospitalized.
Deputies went to Christopher’s residence just before 2pm on Friday, January 31st, to serve the warrant. According to the release, the situation escalated quickly.
“During the warrant serving, Royo attacked the TCSO lieutenant with a knife, stabbing the lieutenant in the head, causing a severe laceration of his hand,” the department said. “Deputies on the scene left the firearm to stop Royo, and ultimately saved the aide’s life.”
The aide was taken to a local hospital where he was recovering from his injuries, officials said.
The Royo family told Star Telegram they expect lawmakers to talk to Christopher before serving the warrant. Jorge said the lawmakers were forced into the room where Christopher is, pulling the other family members away from him. The brothers estimated that the deputy was at home within five minutes.
Jorge told him Friday morning that the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office would first talk to Christopher – if Christopher gets aggressive, handcuffing him is a last resort It will become
“They didn’t talk to him. They just crushed them into the door, I didn’t see, I just heard gunshots and Taser,” Jorge said. “What is the procedure for a Tarrant County Councilman? Is it? Is it just dragging him out? It’s mental health… I’d like to know why you guys didn’t sit there and have a conversation with him. You. I just let it go.”
According to the release, deputies who visited Christopher’s home were specially trained to handle mental health warrants.
“Mental health warrant agents are aware of the dangers of serving these types of warrants. Last year, TCSO representatives served as 427 mental health warrants, which cited people detained in mental health facilities. It was transported,” said TCSO.
Deputies involved in Friday’s shooting were placed on administrative leave for each department’s protocol. The Texas Rangers are being asked to lead the investigation into the case.
