Police: Knife-wielding man begged to be shot

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A bizarre situation played out overnight at a northeast Houston police substation.

Officers told Eyewitness News a man wielding a large knife asked them to shoot him. The incident happened in the parking lot at 8300 Ley Road around 12:30am.

Authorities said the man approached a police officer with the weapon. When the officer asked him to drop the knife, they said the man ran towards a side gate in a threatening manner. The officer called for backup and police surrounded him.

Investigators said the knife-carrying man screamed for officers to shoot him. Fortunately, after a back and forth, officers convinced him to drop the knife.

"The male started shouting for the officer to shoot him," said Lt. Larry Crowson. "The officer called for backup units. They were able to surround the male. After a short time period, they were able to convince the male to lay the knife down. He was then taken into custody without incident. The male seems to be in some type of mental crisis."

Inside of jail, HPD took the man to the hospital for a mental health evaluation.

The good news to report, there were no injuries.