The investigation into the shooting death of a 36-year-old Big Spring man killed by an undercover police officer continues with no immediate end in sight, according to local law enforcement officials.

Patrick Rios, 36, of 3206 W. Eighth St. was shot and killed by an undercover Big Spring Police Department narcotics officer April 6 in front of a home in the 700 block of Lorilla, near the intersection of W. Eighth Street.

Sgt. Tony Everett, public information officer with the BSPD, said the investigation into the shooting — which is being handled by the Texas Rangers — is out of the department’s hands.

“We haven’t been given a timetable or any other information regarding how long they expect the investigation to take,” said Everett. “We haven’t heard a word from them. We want to make sure we don’t interfere in the investigation because we don’t want to taint it. When it’s completed, the Rangers will notify the chief of police and let him know what their findings are. Until then, we don’t want to interfere in any way.”

Everett said the officer involved in the shooting — whose name has not been released by police officials — remains on administrative leave until the investigation is completed.

The shooting was reported at 11:40 a.m. at 711 Lorilla, according to Everett.

“An officer with the police department assigned to narcotics investigations was threatened by a subject armed with a shotgun,” said Everett. “The officer fired, killing the suspect. The officer has been placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure in a shooting situation.”

Theodore Rios, 38, also of 3206 W. Eighth St., was also arrested at the scene on two local warrants for delivery of a controlled substance and a charge of assault by contact, according to police records.

Everett stressed the Ranger’s involvement in the case is routine.

“Any time there is a shooting like this involving a police officers, the Rangers are asked to come in and investigate,” said Everett. “That way the investigation is handled by a third party. It’s standard procedure in a case like this.”

Officials with the Ranger’s office declined to comment on the investigation, saying their office will not be releasing any information to the media regarding the shooting.

Contact Staff Writer Thomas Jenkins at 263-7331 ext. 232 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it