UPDATE: The investigation has led detectives to believe Irwin was under the influence of drugs at the time of the June 8 incident. Irwin, who is still at the hospital, will be charged with Aggravated Assault against a Public Servant, two (2) counts of Endangering a Child, Driving While Intoxicated – 3rd Offense and Evading Arrest in a Vehicle.
Once released he will be transported to the jail.
Friday, June 8, at approximately 6:30 p.m., two GPD officers in a marked police car were stopped in traffic on West Miller at Saturn Road. While the officers were stopped in traffic, a white Ford Explorer crashed through a fence at a cemetery striking a tombstone. The crash occurred directly behind where the officers were stopped just off the roadway.
Officers exited their patrol car and went to investigate the crash. As they were approaching the driver of the Ford, the vehicle backed out of the cemetery and began driving towards them. Both officers attempted to back out of the way and fearing for their lives fired their duty weapons at the driver.
The driver of the Ford fled the scene and led officers in a pursuit for approximately one mile before stopping in a business parking lot in the 2600 block of South Garland Avenue. Once the Ford came to a stop the driver exited and was taken into custody.
After the driver was taken into custody officers found two children, ages 11 and 4, in the back seat of the Ford; GPD officers were previously unaware of their presence.
The driver suffered from two gunshot wounds and was transported to a local area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The driver is a 30-year-old white male and is identified as Thomas Christopher Irwin of Garland.
The children and officers were not injured.
Both officers will be placed on paid administrative leave in accordance with GPD policy.
Members of the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office Public Integrity Unit responded to the scene to investigate according to their standard procedure.
The investigation is ongoing and charges are pending at this time.