Police officers shot and killed a man in San Marcos on Friday after he allegedly lunged at an officer with a knife at an apartment complex, according to San Marcos Police Chief Stan Standridge.
During a Saturday afternoon news conference, Standridge said Thomas Anthony Hawkins III, 25, was shot by two officers multiple times.
Just before 8 p.m. Friday, officers responded to an apartment complex in the 3000 block of State Highway 123 after receiving a report that a man with active felony warrants was inside a residence.
A 911 dispatcher confirmed Hawkins had three active warrants:
- Assault family violence warrant, impeding breath or circulation — stemming from a February 2025 San Marcos police investigation
- Assault on a peace officer warrant out of Tarrant County from 2023
- Continuous violence against the family warrant out of Bell County from 2020
Three officers responded to the apartment complex. Police said that after knocking and announcing themselves three times, a woman opened the door and confirmed that Hawkins was inside.
She told officers that several adults, two children, and two firearms belonging to her and her partner were inside. Standridge identified her partner as Hawkins’ brother.
Hawkins’ brother also approached the door, returned inside the apartment, but did not immediately come back out.
An officer knocked again and announced officers were not leaving, at which point the brother brought Hawkins out of the apartment, police said.
Hawkins was holding a knife raised near his head, Standridge said. Hawkins allegedly lunged toward the officer standing at the top of the stairs, and that officer fired his weapon, striking him, police said.
Hawkins fell to the ground face down, still holding the knife. As he began to roll over, Standridge said two officers fired multiple times.
Standridge said Hawkins was handcuffed and taken to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Hawkins’ brother sustained abrasions to an arm and leg and was treated by EMS at the scene and released.
The two officers who fired their weapons have been placed on administrative leave consistent with department policy, Standridge said. All three officers have been referred to a licensed professional counselor.
The Texas Rangers Division and the San Marcos Police Department Criminal Investigations Division are jointly investigating the shooting.
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