Ralph Sebexen

Date: 4/5/2022            Location: Killeen, TX             FACTORS (1,2,4,12,14,19)  

Name: Ralph Sebexen                                  

Criminal History/Involved: Unknown. / Yes, Sebexen was creating a public disturbance at a convenience store.  

Mental Illness: Yes, Sebexen’s mother said, “he had been battling depression and suicidal thoughts just before the incident transpired.”

Substance Abuse History/Involved: Unknown. / None stated.

Race/Sex/Age: White/Male/27

Officer(s) involved: Killeen Police Officer Devin Hill                                                                      

What prompted the initial contact with police? At just before 5 p.m. on April 5, 2022, Killeen police officers responded to a 911 call of a man creating a disturbance in the parking lot of a convenience store. Upon arrival the officers located that man, Ralph Sebexen.

Actions taken by subject towards police: Sebexen refused to comply with the officer’s lawful commands and a physical altercation ensued. As a martial arts instructor and professional fighter, Sebexen was able to fight off the officer’s attempts to subdue him with just their hands.

Reactions by the police: Unable to control Sebexen with mere physical force, one of the officer’s tased him. When the taser proved ineffective as well and Sebexen continued fighting with the officers, fearing for their safety - PO Devin Hill shot Sebexen once in the abdominal area. The injured Sebexen was taken to a hospital where he died a few weeks later on April 27th.

Outcome of investigation into the fatal police incident: The Texas Rangers are investigating.

What could the subject have done that day to still be alive today? Sebexen could still be alive if he: did not cause a disturbance prompting people to call 911; complied with the officers’ lawful orders; and did not fight against the officers causing them to fear for their lives.

Miscellaneous: Sebexen was a trained martial artist and suicidal, therefore in his depressed state of mind he posed a danger to others and himself.

Justified Use of Deadly Force? YES, the officers had reasonable cause to believe their lives were in danger after Sebexen fought with them and was unaffected by the taser. The professional fighting skill Sebexen demonstrated against the officers proved he posed a deadly threat to them and they could not stop him with mere physical force or less than lethal alternatives.