DALLAS -- A policeman shot and killed a man in front of 17,000 wrestling fans at Reunion Arena because the victim was trying to cut another officer after an ice-throwing incident, police said Saturday.
The Friday night shooting was the seventh in as many weeks involving a Dallas police officer. Six of the shooting victims died.
Police said Bertrom J. Thomas, 32, was confronted by several off-duty officers working as security guards at the arena about 11:45 p.m. CDT after he became involved in an argument with another fan at a professional wrestling match.
One officer tried to restrain Thomas, but he broke away and lunged at a policeman with a knife, said police Cpl. R.D. Ruttman.
Sgt. D.L. Whitfield shot Thomas in the stomach and he was pronounced dead on arrival at Parkland Memorial Hospital.
More than 17,000 fans were attending the heavyweight championship wrestling matches when the shooting occurred inside the huge dome-shaped building.
Lt. Mel Southall of the police Crimes Against Persons Division said the incident began when spectators in upper-level seats at the arena began throwing ice into the crowd below.
Thomas became angry and went up in the stands and 'had words' with the people he thought were throwing the ice, Southall said.
Another spectator, Danny Cisneros, 24, Granbury, Texas, was also upset about the ice throwing and encouraged Thomas to confront the suspects, police said. Thomas, however, misunderstood him and 'thought they were derogatory comments.'
A scuffle ensued when 'push led to shove,' Southall said, and Thomas pulled a knife and threatened Cisneros.
Uniformed officers arrived and tried to get Thomas to drop the knife, Southall said. Officer R.B. Garcia 'had his baton around Thomas' neck pulling him backward and trying to subdue him,' Southall said.
Whitfield shot Thomas 'because he thought Garcia was in danger of being cut with the knife,' Southall said.
Garcia suffered a minor laceration on his left hand.
