FORT WORTH, Texas — The Fort Worth Police Department and the Lake Worth Police Department have released 911 audio along with dash and body-worn camera footage from an officer-involved shooting that followed a pursuit and hours-long standoff earlier this year.
The incident occurred Thursday, January 30, 2025, in the 1700 block of Skyline Drive.
According to police, the situation began around 4:17 p.m. when Lake Worth police officers attempted a traffic stop on 35-year-old Nicholas Sides for a traffic violation. During the stop, Sides sped away, leading officers on a pursuit that ended when he crashed into a backyard near Sansom Park.
After exiting his vehicle, Sides immediately began firing multiple shots at officers before they had fully stopped their patrol cars, authorities said.
Officers gave repeated commands and attempted to de-escalate the situation. Investigators say Sides got back into his vehicle with a gun pointed at his head and drove past officers, prompting a second pursuit.
That pursuit ended at a residence in the 1700 block of Skyline Drive in Fort Worth, where Sides ran inside the home.
Fort Worth Police’s Crisis Intervention Team and SWAT responded to the scene while officers from multiple agencies established a perimeter. Negotiations and de-escalation efforts continued for several hours.
At one point during the standoff, police say Sides set off fireworks inside and outside the residence.
Eventually, Sides exited the home holding a gun to his head and refused commands to drop the weapon. SWAT officers deployed 40mm less-lethal rounds in an attempt to disarm him. Police say Sides then pointed his gun at officers and fired multiple shots.
A Fort Worth SWAT officer fired one round, striking Sides in the torso.
Officers rendered medical aid at the scene. Sides was transported to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
No officers or civilians were injured during the incident.
The Fort Worth Police Department’s Major Case Unit, Internal Affairs, and the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office are conducting a joint investigation. The Lake Worth Police Department completed a separate standard critical incident review.
Per department policy, the Fort Worth officers involved were placed on Significant Event Leave and have since returned to duty. Lake Worth officers involved were placed in a standard critical incident debrief and have also returned to work.