Officer shoots, kills purse snatching suspect - 12 News KBMT and K-JAC. News, Weather and Sports for SE Texas

HOUSTON - A man wielding what appeared to be sewing scissors was shot and killed Thursday afternoon during a confrontation with an officer, according to authorities.

Houston police said the entire ordeal began in the driveway of a home in the Meyerland area. Police said the suspect pedaled his bicycle up to a woman who was tending to packages in her car.

"Apparently she had the back end of her vehicle open, she was either loading or unloading some items. The suspect came by, he was on a bicycle, and he took her purse," said HPD spokesman Victor Senties.

Police said an off-duty Houston police officer who happened to be in the area was quickly flagged down for help. Investigators said that officer then relayed a description of the suspect to other on-duty officers working the area.

Police said when Officer D. Rivera, a 2 year veteran of the force, made his way to Dumfries and Doud, he was quickly approached by a resident.

"He finds a witness who points out the suspect is actually crouching down over by this residence," said Senties.

Police said when the officer approached the man he found him rummaging through a backpack. Authorities said the officer repeatedly told the man to stand up and show him his hands.

"The suspect gets up quickly, throws his jacket in the face of officer Rivera and at the same time he comes at him, lunges at him with two pairs of scissors," said Senties.

Police said the officer, fearing for his life, fired his weapons several times, killing the man.

According to Senties, police are still trying to figure out who this man is, citing no known connection between the suspect and the surrounding neighborhood. Police said it is possible the man was homeless.