Sword-wielding suspect in Waco

By Kirsten Crow
Waco Tribune-Herald via Associated Press

A Waco police officer suffered a fractured wrist early Tuesday morning while trying to apprehend what authorities described as a “sword-wielding suspect.”

Steven Walker Webb, 21, was suspected of stealing several items at Discount Smoke Shop, 1402 N. 34th St., including a 4-foot sword, said Waco police Sgt. W. Patrick Swanton.

Officers responded to a 911 call about the alleged theft, finding Webb in the 3200 block of West Edmond Avenue with the sword, Swanton said.

Webb refused to surrender the sword, and authorities eventually used a Taser to gain control of him, according to authorities.

One officer fractured his wrist while taking Webb into custody, Swanton said. The officer, who was not named in an email issued by the department about the incident, was taken for medical treatment and expected to be out from work due to the injury for an unspecified period of time.

Webb, who faces charges of theft over $50, possession of marijuana, resisting arrest and unlawfully carrying a weapon-sword, was being held at the McLennan County Jail late Tuesday under bonds totaling $7,000.