The family of a man fatally shot in Far North Dallas after police said he charged at SWAT officers with a knife said they called 911 in hopes of getting him mental health assistance after he cut himself hours earlier.
Dallas police shot Martin Benes, 46, early Wednesday morning at a home in the 13800 block of Far Hills Lane. He was pronounced dead at the location around 1:30 a.m., according to Dallas County medical examiner’s office records.
In interviews with The Dallas Morning News at their home, the Benes family said they believe police should’ve had more non-lethal options and mental health assistance before deciding to shoot Martin.
“We thought 911 would help us with him,” Paul Benes, Martin’s brother, said.
Crime in The News
The police shooting, the sixth by Dallas officers this year, is the subject of investigations by the department’s special investigations unit and the Dallas County district attorney’s office. Police are planning a news conference about the shooting for Friday afternoon.
Benes’ mother, Judith Benes, said in an interview that she called 911 about 7:45 p.m. Tuesday after Martin cut himself as he attempted to take off an ankle monitor he received after a previous arrest earlier this year.
Martin had alcoholism and episodes of depression, his father, Frank Benes, said in an interview. Martin’s mental health worsened as he was restricted by the ankle monitor to stay at the home he shared with his father and mother, his father said.
“Martin was unstable in his state of mind,” his father told The News.
‘We need medical help’
Hours before the shooting, Martin threatened to hurt himself, Judith Benes said. In the past, they had never heard Martin threaten to hurt himself, his brother, Paul Benes, said.
The initial call to police was classified as a crisis intervention team with an ambulance call, according to an active call list on the department’s website.
“I really mentioned several times that we need medical help, that he is under alcohol influence, and said he basically needs help,” she said.
Martin Benes stands with his mother Judith Benes. Martin Benes died when he was shot by Dallas police in the 13800 block of Far Hills Lane on Wednesday.
Paul Benes / Paul Benes
Police said Benes then charged at officers with the knife, causing the officers to grab his mother and retreat with her outside.
Benes followed them outside before returning to the home to barricade himself inside, police said.
The street became filled with officers, and a SWAT team was called.
Benes went upstairs and was in his room by the time SWAT entered the home early Wednesday, his family said.
They attempted to use “less-than-lethal” force to subdue Benes, including a Taser, police said. The Taser shots were “ineffective,” and Benes charged at the SWAT officers, police said.
Benes died at the scene despite medical efforts, Chief Daniel Comeaux said in brief remarks Wednesday at Jack Evans Police Headquarters.
Paul and Judith Benes said they heard gunshots but weren’t sure what had happened. They were told around 3 a.m. that Martin Benes had been killed.
The family said they wanted Martin Benes to get help, so they called professionals. They believe violence was used too quickly instead.
Who was Martin Benes?
Benes was a funny guy who always made sure to help around the house, his father said. He had two children and worked as a business lawyer, Frank Benes said.
Benes also has had his troubles, he said. Earlier this year, he was receiving treatment from Greenhouse Outpatient for alcohol addiction, his father said. He had been released and was staying home for a few days before going back.
During the days he was home, Benes was arrested for a hit-and-run incident where he was accused of hitting a woman’s car and then trying to hit her, according to an arrest warrant affidavit reviewed by The News. After he drove away, police were able to locate him in a parking lot, asleep, an officer wrote in the affidavit.
When officers asked him to get out of his car, they said he did not. Officers struck Benes with Tasers, which the officer wrote he “was not fazed by.” He was stunned five times before he was taken into custody and then to a hospital.
Benes’ attorney could not be located for a comment Thursday afternoon.
Benes also faced an aggravated assault charge after he was arrested days later, this time accused of aggravated assault of a family member causing serious bodily injury, according to an arrest warrant affidavit.
Police said that during the standoff, officers discovered Martin Benes had an outstanding warrant in connection to a prior arrest, Comeaux said. A Dallas police spokesperson declined to provide additional information on the incident Thursday afternoon, citing the upcoming Friday news conference. The News is unable to independently verify details of the incident without additional information.
Frank Benes shows were his son, Martin Benes, was shot inside a home in 3800 block of Far Hills Lane. Martin Benes was fatally shot by Dallas police on Wednesday.
Timia Cobb / Timia Cobb
On Thursday, Benes’ father said he believes being constricted by the ankle monitor, his mental health and his alcoholism pushed him over the edge. But, shooting Martin Benes wasn’t the answer, he said.
“Instead of getting help from the 911 operator, they came and killed him,” Frank Benes said.
The family is physically unable to open the front door to the home due to damage from the incident, they said. For now, they’re using the side door. Throughout the house, chemical smells still linger in the air, irritating the family’s eyes and making it hard to breathe, they say. And upstairs, just a few steps from Martin’s bedroom door, a large puddle of blood from when he was shot stained the carpet.