Atascosa County man killed by deputy sheriff during domestic dispute

ATASCOSA, Texas – The Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office said a man was shot and killed Friday night by a deputy responding to a domestic violence call.

According to the sheriff’s office, officers had been called to the residence in the Royal Oaks Subdivision near FM 476 several times in the past for similar domestic disturbances.

On Saturday, a deputy made contact with the woman at the apartment, who reported her husband for arguing and banging on the walls. A male suspect then came to the door and was asked by the deputy to come outside.

The suspect, identified as 42-year-old Richard Albert Viscarra Jr., allegedly grabbed a large butcher knife and walked toward the deputy, ignoring requests to stop and drop the knife.

According to the sheriff’s office, Viscarra walked down the steps and pointed the knife in an “aggressive manner” as he approached the deputy, forcing him to fire his weapon.

The officer reportedly fired four shots at the man. Officers on scene performed life-saving measures, but Viscarra was pronounced dead at the scene.

The man’s wife told officers that Viscarra had threatened suicide through a police officer.

The incident is being investigated by the Texas Rangers.

The sheriff’s office said the 34-year-old deputy had been on the force for four and a half years and was placed on leave.

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