A man died after he was shot by Texas Department of Public Safety troopers following an early morning vehicle pursuit involving multiple law enforcement agencies in Amarillo.
The chase ended before 4 a.m. Monday near Skyline and Angelus drives after the driver, identified as 49-year-old Stacey Keith Lerke, crashed his vehicle, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Investigators said Lerke got out of the vehicle carrying what appeared to be an assault rifle. Troopers ordered him to drop the weapon, but he did not comply, DPS said. Troopers then opened fire.
Lerke was treated at the scene before being taken to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
Authorities later determined the weapon Lerke was carrying was an airsoft rifle.
DPS said Troopers had joined the pursuit after assisting the Amarillo Police Department and Potter County Sheriff's Office. According to investigators, Lerke refused to stop for law enforcement before the chase ended in the crash.
The Texas Rangers are investigating the officer-involved shooting. Once the investigation is complete, the findings will be submitted to the district attorney's office for review.
Prison records
State prison records show Lerke had been released from custody just over a year before Monday's shooting.
According to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Lerke was released to mandatory supervision on July 15, 2025, after serving time at the Wallace Unit in Colorado City.
