Multi-Agency Police Chase Ends with Suspect's Death (Update)

Texas Ranger James Hicks (left) is seen speaking with Shelby County Sheriff's Deputies Jeff Gogolewski (middle) and Cody Muse (right).

October 3, 2017 - (DPS Update, 8am): A male who was a suspect in a Shelby County domestic disturbance case evaded law enforcement Saturday evening and fled to a residence on CR 3798. After running on foot behind a residence, law enforcement officers heard a single gunshot from behind the home and soon after discovered the suspect dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Shelby County law enforcement officials and Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Troopers attempted to stop the suspect on U.S. 84 at approximately 8pm, he fled from officers onto U.S. 59, continuing the felony evading until he reached the residence on CR 3798.

The Texas Rangers (DPS) were called to the scene and began an investigation into the incident. The identity of the suspect is not available for release at this time.

No additional information is currently available.


October 1, 2017 - A multi- agency police chase on the northern end of Shelby County has ended in the death of one man. 

Once on scene of the incident located on CR 3798, Shelby County Today learned constables were dispatched to a disturbance at a residence on the road sometime before 8pm September 30, 2017 and upon arrival the alleged assailant had left the scene with a 6-year-old child.

Texas Ranger James Hicks is seen peering into the apparent suspect vehicle involved in the chase before the driver exited the vehicle.

Constables Roy Cheatwood, Jake Metcalf, Jamie Hagler and Zach Warr were all in search of the individual when he was located at a car wash in Joaquin, and from there a high-speed pursuit began down U.S. Highway 84 in the direction of Tenaha. 

Additional units with the Texas Department of Public Safety and Shelby County Sheriff's Department engaged in the chase as it traveled to the U.S. Highway 59 overpass where the driver took the Carthage exit and instead traveled back across the highway and onto U.S. 84.

Additional officers with the Texas Department of Public Safety and Texas Game Wardens (left) were on scene as other officers are seen (right) speaking with witnesses.

As the trail of vehicles, which at this point gained the Tenaha City Marshal's office, continued toward Joaquin the driver turned onto CR 3798 and headed to a house at the end of the road where he exited the truck and ran to the back of the house. That's when officers heard a shot of gunfire.

ACE EMS was called to respond as well as Margie Anderson, Justice of the Peace Precinct 3, who pronounced the man dead at the scene. 

The Texas Rangers were called and Ranger James Hicks arrived on scene at 10pm to begin his investigation, while Shelby County Sheriff's Investigator Mandy Fears gathered statements from those involved as well as witnesses.

Tenaha City Marshal Jacob Samford (left) and Roy Cheatwood, Precinct 3 Constable, confer with one another at the scene.

Once the scene was cleared, the deceased man was transported by Watson & Sons Funeral Home.

It was later learned the 6-year-old which had been in the vehicle was dropped off with grandparents before the chase ensued.

More information on this incident will be updated as it is made available.

Pictured are Shelby County Sheriff's Deputy Jeff Gogolewski (left) and Jake Metcalf (right), Precinct 4 Constable.

Texas Ranger James Hicks is leading the investigation into the incident.