Sheriff's Department Investigates Shooting; Suspect Wanted

At 8:40 a.m. Wednesday, August 25, Bennett entered the lobby of the SCSO and turned himself in to authorities without incident.


August 23, 2021 - The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) is actively investigating a homicide that occurred Saturday, August 21 on County Road 2225 in Center.

August 22, 2021 - The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) is actively seeking the whereabouts of Justin Earl Bennett. According to a press release issued by the agency, Bennett is described as a 41-year-old black male, 5’9”, 210 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. Bennett has tattoos on both forearms, scars on his left arm and left calf. Bennett is wanted for Murder (F-1) out of Shelby County.

Bennett is considered Armed and Dangerous.  

Anyone with information on Bennett’s whereabouts is Urged to contact the SCSO by calling 936.598.5601. If the vehicle or the subject is spotted, Do Not Approach. Call 9-1-1.



Sheriff Kevin Windham is seen above (in the cowboy hat) conferring with officers.

August 22, 2021 - The Shelby County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a shooting death which took place on a new feed mill road which connects to Loop 500 Saturday evening, August 21.

Shelby County Sheriff Kevin Windham confirms, a trail ride event was ongoing when two men had an altercation, which resulted in the death of one, and the other to flee.

Deputies responded to the scene at approximately 10:40pm in reference to a disturbance that involved gunshots. Once on scene, deputies discovered that 41-year-old Delvin Deon Bailey, of Center, had been fatally wounded.

As of 1am, a suspect was being sought.


Shelby County Sheriff's Investigators are seen above with Chief Deputy Ruth Gonzales.

After the first incident occurred, a stabbing was reported on McCowan Street in Center, and a victim in that incident was life-flighted by helicopter from the Nacogdoches Medical Center - Shelby Emergency Department.

A suspect is also being sought in the McCowan Street stabbing.


Center Police Department Detective Bobby Walker, is seen with Officers Mandy Fears and John Clevenger.

Community Funeral Home transported the deceased man from the first scene and he was pronounced deceased by Donna Hughes, Justice of the Peace Precinct 1.

Center Fire Department personnel were called to both scenes to assist with crowd control, if necessary.

Texas Game Warden’s Sam Anderson and Austin Cryer were on scene to assist, as well as Constables Josh Tipton and Roy Cheatwood.

Both investigations continue by the agencies involved, and additional details are pending.


Detective Walker and Cpl. Steve Thornburgh search nearby for evidence of the McCowan Street incident.