Crime & Safety

La Marque Cop Cleared In Killing Of Sword-Wielding Man

A La Marque cop has been cleared of charges after killing a man alleged to have cut him with a sword after a break-in.

LA MARQUE, TX — A La Marque police officer was cleared of wrongdoing in the fatal shooting of a breaking-and-entering who was wielding a sword, according to reports. Officer Jose Santos of the La Marque Police Department killed Gregory Ham on Dec. 3, 2017.

Police were called to the 800 block of Retama shortly after 10 p.m. that Sunday after a woman reported that her neighbor had broken into her home and was armed with a sword.

She reported that her neighbor, identified as Gregory Ham, kicked in her front door and forced her into her room before fleeing.

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See more: La Marque Officer Kills Sword-Bearing Man During Burglary

Officer Santos arrived after Ham had fled, Click2Houston reported, and later found him hiding in a nearby shed. During the confrontation, investigators say, Ham cut Santos' head with the sword. Santos fired a shot, killing Ham.

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A grand jury heard hours of evidence and testimony on June 14, declining to press charges against Santos.


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