By RACHEL KATZ
Jan. 3, 2014
A Texas lawyer described by a colleague as a “very lovable and laid back” person was fatally shot by police after he barricaded himself in his apartment building hallway with his daughter by his side.
Michael E. Schmidt, 47, a lawyer, was killed in a shootout with police with his daughter at his side.
(Photo courtesy schmidtlaw.com)
Michael E. Schmidt, 47, a lawyer at the Schmidt Firm in Dallas, reported to an employee at his building early Thursday morning that his apartment was being burglarized, police said. When police arrived at the scene, Schmidt had barricaded himself in an adjacent hallway and began shooting at officers when they tried to speak with him, police said. After officers tried to calm down the situation, they returned fire when Schmidt moved from his barricade towards officers, police said. He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Dallas Police Department.
“The suspect’s juvenile daughter was at the location with Suspect Schmidt but indications are that she was out of sight of the officers. She was located uninjured after the shooting and was released to the custody of relatives,” police said.
His daughter is 11 years old, according to ABC affiliate WFAA.
Schmidt, a personal injury trial attorney, joined his father’s firm 24 years ago, according to his bio on the firm’s website. His colleagues told ABC News today it’s a mystery why this happened.
James Holmes, a fellow attorney at the Schmidt Firm, said he saw Schmidt on Dec. 27, right after he returned from a holiday break.