09/07/2026
**UPDATE** Officer-Involved Shooting - Deceased Identified
The deceased individual has been identified as 37-year-old Michael Antonio Santacruz.
The investigation remains active.
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**UPDATE**
News Release
Issue Date: September 7, 2026
Release Number: 2026-09-28
Officer-Involved Shooting with Machete-Wielding Man
Today, Monday, September 7, 2026, at approximately 2:15 AM, officers were dispatched to a weapons related disturbance at a gas station in the 3000 block of Broadway Boulevard. A caller reported that a man was walking around the area holding a machete. Multiple officers canvassed the area but were unable to locate the man.
At approximately 3:20 AM, officers were dispatched to the area of Broadway Boulevard and Colonel Drive regarding another weapons related disturbance. A caller reported that a man matching the description from the earlier call was at a bus stop armed with a machete.
Multiple officers arrived and located a man matching descriptions from the previous two calls, at the bus stop with the machete in his hand. Officers immediately began speaking with the man and repeatedly instructed him to drop the machete for several minutes. The man refused their commands and began advancing toward the officers in an aggressive manner.
Officers continued pleading with the man to drop the machete while retreating away from him. A less-lethal department issued electric control device was deployed but was ineffective. The man began swinging the machete and advanced toward the officers as they continued retreating and giving commands to drop the machete. The man ignored all commands and as he advanced toward them, officers discharged their department-issued fi****ms, striking him.
Officers immediately began lifesaving measures. The Garland Fire Department paramedics were staged nearby and transported the man to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.
No officers were injured during the incident.
The scene remains under investigation as detectives work to determine the complete circumstances surrounding the incident.
As part of department policy and standard procedure, the officers involved in the shooting will be placed on administrative leave. The Garland Police Department Professional Standards Unit and the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office Public Integrity Division will conduct separate investigations into the incident.
The identity of the deceased will not be released at this time, pending notification of next of kin.
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We are currently investigating an officer-involved shooting in the area of Broadway Boulevard and Colonel Drive.
The subject is deceased, and no officers were injured.
All northbound and southbound lanes of Broadway Boulevard at Colonel Drive are currently closed. Please avoid the area and seek an alternate route.
PIO is on scene.
