Officers used stun gun before fatal shooting

DA says evidence supports claim that victim used knife during attempted arrest in home

Local and state law enforcement officials continued their investigation Wednesday into the death of a Willis man who was shot by three police officers Tuesday night after allegedly lunging at them with a knife inside his home.

The man, wanted in Harris County for illegal dumping, was identified as 45-year-old Christopher Noe.

Montgomery County District Attorney Brett Ligon said evidence from the scene appears to support the officers’ claim that Noe charged at them with the knife.

“The preliminary investigation has indicated that statements obtained at the scene as well as the physical evidence is consistent with the suspect advancing on the officers armed with a knife,” Ligon said. “Evidence indicated multiple tasers were deployed. However, it appears they were ineffective, and when the suspect advanced at officers with a knife in hand, the officers indicated they were in fear for their lives and shot him.”

According to information from Montgomery County Sheriff’s Lt. Scott Spencer, a deputy spotted Noe driving a white Ford Expedition allegedly speeding on Texas 105 around 9 p.m. However, when the deputy attempted to stop Noe, he fled. While the deputy pursued Noe, Noe was able to evade law enforcement and continued heading north on Interstate 45 toward Willis.

“Deputies were able to get the license plate of the vehicle which returned to an address in the 14400 block of Enchanted Waters Drive near Lake Conroe,” Spencer said.

The deputy radioed the SUV’s license plate before losing the driver in the Willis area. The sheriff ’s deputy, along with an officer from the Panorama Village Police Department and a deputy from the Montgomery County Precinct 2 Constable’s Office, went to the SUV’s registered address on Enchanted Waters Drive.

Spencer said family members gave consent for deputies to search the home but did not find Noe. However, after leaving the scene, deputies were notified Noe was in the home.

“They returned to the residence at which time they observed Noe through a window,” Spencer said.

Due to his active felony warrant, deputies were able to enter the residence where they were confronted by Noe. Deputies gave commands for him to surrender, Spencer said, but Noe allegedly refused and pulled a knife, advancing toward the law enforcement officers.

Deputies first tried to subdue Noe with tasers but when that did not work and Noe continued toward them, law enforcement officers opened fire, killing Noe.

Noe was pronounced dead on the scene by Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace Wayne Mack.

“It is a very sad and difficult situation and I would ask that our community would pray for all the parties involved,” Mack said.

While the names of the deputies have not been released, Spencer said the sheriff’s deputy has been on the force for a little over a year, while the Panorama Village officer has three years’ experience. The constable’s deputy is a 14-year veteran.

Ligon said his office along with the Texas Rangers and MCSO are investigating the incident.

“Each agency had their administrative staff out there looking at administrative issues as well as compliance with criminal law,” Ligon said. “We will continue on with the investigation and as is standard for the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, the results will be forwarded to a Montgomery County grand jury.”