Dallas, Texas

From the Dallas News of November 17, 2005
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Former chief's son involved in fatal shooting

The son of former Dallas Police Chief Bill Rathburn is being questioned by police over a fatal shooting at a Pleasant Grove holiday lighting firm this morning.

Mr. Rathburn's son, also named Bill Rathburn, apparently was involved in the shooting after a former employee in his 20s came to The Christmas Light Co. with a weapon around 8:30 a.m. The former police chief's son owns the company, located in the 8000 block of Military Parkway.

The former employee "was pointing a gun at two witnesses ... and made statements that he was going to kill them," said Dallas police Sgt. Dwaine Sides. "That's when the owner acted."

Shots were fired, and after officers and medical personnel arrived, the man was pronounced dead at the scene, said Dallas police Sr. Cpl. Donna Hernandez. The man's name was not released.

Bill Rathburn, 64, was Dallas police chief from 1991 through 1993 and is now a security consultant.

Reached late Thursday morning, the former chief said he didn't think it was appropriate to comment.

"I'm not there, I don't know the facts," he said, adding that he was waiting to hear more from police investigators.

The Christmas Light Co.'s Web site said the Dallas-based company builds holiday lighting displays and has offices in Atlanta, San Diego and Denver.