October 7, 2016 - As Panola County deputies engaged in a chase approached Shelby County, assistance was requested from area law enforcement officers in Shelby County.
Officers from agencies including the Shelby County Sheriff's Department, Texas Department of Public Safety and Center Police Department moved in as the chase neared Timpson. Eyewitness accounts near the location of U.S. Highways 84 and 59 stated gunfire was exchanged; however, Sheriff Lake states one shot was fired in an attempt to disable the vehicle after the subject fired and attempted to drive away. That shot was not in an attempt to shoot the subject.
As the officers from Shelby County approached the scene, the suspect involved in the chase had been shot. The Timpson Volunteer Ambulance Service and Timpson Volunteer Fire Department were both dispatched to the scene for traffic control and to treat the injured suspect.
According to a press release from the Panola County Sheriff's Department, a Panola County Deputy attempted to make a traffic stop on a vehicle in the Clayton area for an expired registration which had been expired for over 2 years on October 6, 2016 at 7:56pm.
When the deputy activated his emergency lights, the vehicle failed to stop traveling south on FM 1970. Deputies advised that the vehicle failed to stop at the stop light at state highway 315 continuing to travel south on FM 1970. The vehicle was reported to never exceed 75 mph, but refused to stop. As the pursuit reached the area of the southern Panola County line on FM 1970, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office was notified.
The vehicle continued to proceed into Shelby County. Panola County Sheriff’s units remained behind the fleeing vehicle until Shelby County law enforcement could intercept the pursuit. The vehicle began to make defensive maneuvers by jamming the brakes attempting to crash into the pursuing units. Panola County deputies allowed a safe distance as to not strike the vehicle.
As the vehicle approached the intersection of FM 1970 and FM 84, deputies reported they observed the subject displaying a firearm which appeared to be a rifle or shotgun. As the vehicle stopped at the intersection at US 84, the subject fired one shot from inside the cab of the vehicle then fled again traveling east on US 84.
Deputies reported that the subject continued to display the firearm as he traveled on US 84 towards Timpson. As the vehicle approached US Highway 59, the subject dropped the firearm out the window before finally stopping at the intersection of US highway 59. The subject was taken into custody without further incident.
It was discovered upon making contact with the subject he had a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the face. First aid was administered until Timpson Volunteer EMS arrived on the scene. The subject was transported to a Nacogdoches hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Sheriff Kevin Lake thanks Panola County Constable Bryan Murff, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, Center Police Department, Timpson Police Department and Texas DPS for their assistance.
At this time the Panola County Sheriff's Department has not released information pertaining to the identity of the driver.
