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September 17, 2025 - Nacogdoches Street was the scene of a fatal auto-pedestrian crash in Center on Tuesday, September 16, 2025.
According to the Center Police Department at 4:09pm officers responded to a 911 call relating to an auto versus pedestrian collision in the 900 block of Nacogdoches Street
When officers arrived they observed a female later determined to be Valarie Marshall, 57, of Timpson and a white GMC Terrain with damage to its front bumper.
The driver of the GMC was determined to be Jose Antonio-Roldan Torres, 37, of Nacogdoches and he refused treatment at the scene.
Marshall was transported by ambulance to the Shelby Emergency Department where she was later pronounced deceased and next of kin was notified.
Witness statements indicate Marshall was attempting to run across the road.
The crash remains under investigation.
CPD officers were assisted at the scene by Texas DPS Trooper Matt Chandler and Shelby County Sheriff's Department deputies.
September 17, 2025 - The Shelby County District Attorney's Office in conjunction with the Shelby County Sheriff's Department has issued the following details on Septmeber 17, 2025, in reference to the circumstances surrounding the death of JaMichael Phillips, suspects now in custody, and the one that remains at large.
In a press release, Shelby County Sheriff Gerald Corbell and District Attorney Karren Price thank the community and all the responding officers for their help in this case. It is the help of so many that allowed them to work this case quickly and successfully.
At approximately 9:30am on Saturday, September 13, officers from the Shelby County Sheriff's office responded to the home of JaMichael Phillips, date of birth July 10, 1989, and found him deceased. The home was dead bolted and entry had been accomplished by a member of the family prior to notification of law enforcement.
Mr. Phillips death was the result of a homicide with what appeared to be one round to the back of his head. Further evidence appeared to support the conclusion at the scene that the shot had been fired by forcing the displacement of an air conditioner in his bedroom window, shoving it aside and firing from the outside into the interior as Phillips attempted to exit the room.
"He fortunately dead bolted all three entries to his home, they couldn't gain entry," said District Attorney Karren Price. "They jerked a air conditioner out of a window, or at least partially, stuck the gun through there. He jumps out of his bed which is right beside the air conditioner, he's trying to exit the bedroom and one round they just hit him in the back of the head."
The Shelby County Sheriff requested and received the help of two Texas Department of Public Safety Rangers to assist in the investigation. They arrived on scene within a couple of hours of the 911 call for help and completed processing the scene alongside the sheriff's office. Officers were able to obtain video evidence from the neighborhood and local businesses to aid in tracking the vehicle in which the suspects left the scene. In a few hours, four suspects were identified as assailants in what can only be described as an execution.
"There was a dice game at his house on September 11, on or about, we believe there was a dice game at his house where he took some money off of them, and that probably is what they were trying to get, but that's just speculation on our part at this point in time, we can't positively say that right now," said Price.
The four are associated with directly or are associated with others who are associated with gang activity in and around Angelina County. We requested and received four arrest warrants for murder at that time.
One of the four has direct familial connections to Shelby County. The four fled to the Houston area and with the assistance of DPS resources we were able to locate the apartment building they were in, where SWAT arrested two on Monday. Those two were transported back to Shelby County on Tuesday evening and remain in custody.
They are identified as Colby Eli Lister, 19, of Lufkin, and Deterion Alexander, 17, of Lufkin. On September 17 at approximately 10am., Rangers [James] Hicks and [Corey] Seymore arrested Rico Rose, 20, also of Lufkin. There remains one un-arrested whose name will be withheld at this time.
The motive for this crime appears to be robbery, which failed because they could not gain entry to the home. It is also most certainly related to gang activity south of us.
We expect an arrest on the fourth soon. Once the evidence establishes who did what and when we will decide how to charge them, but rest assured, the people involved will be held accountable and the person or persons directly responsible for the death of this young man will be prosecuted for murder.
September 15, 2025 - Sheriff Gerald Corbell has confirmed the deceased is JaMichael Phillips, 36, of Center and he was the victim of a shooting.
September 13, 2025 - Law enforcement officials (LEOs) responded to the scene of a reported shooting incident on Saturday, September 13, in the 100 block of CR 2235 at around 9:30am.
When officers arrived, family members were attempting to enter the home residence when officers directed them not to enter as they could potentially contaminate the scene inside.
A large crowd converged on the location and additional police were needed to control the scene. Center Police Department officers, and Texas Department of Public Safety responded to the location to assist Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputies and the initially cordoned off area was extended out further to encompass the roadway to move people further away. District Attorney Karren Price supervised the officers with the investigation at the residence.
Ambulance personnel were at the residence, but once it was determined they were no longer needed they cleared the location.
Texas Ranger Corey Seymore was called in to investigate and in addition to the investigation being mainly within the home, investigators seemed to have an intense focus on an air conditioner window unit that was located on the west end of the structure and appeared to be halfway hanging.
Later in the day the Sheriff’s Department took possession of the air conditioner, apparently as evidence.
Texas Game Warden Austin Cryer and Constables Zack Warr and Roy Cheatwood were present at the entrance to CR 2235 for crowd control and to limit entry to the residence.
Donna Hughes, Justice of the Peace Precinct 1, performed the inquest of the individual and Mangum Funeral Home transported that person from the scene.
Throughout the day as law enforcement investigated, family members and friends of the deceased individual remained outside waiting and communicating with officials. As the person was removed from the house, several children in the crowd were vehemently shouting and sobbing to their “Daddy,” suggesting the person was their father.
A request for basic information on this incident, including the name of the victim, from the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department has been made; however, as of 11pm details have not been given.
Details are anticipated, and will be updated when made available.
Brandon Carson, 33, of Pittsburg, Texas
September 17, 2025 - Center Police Department (CPD) announces the arrest of a suspect after receiving a report from a group regarding online exploitation of a minor.
CPD officers have arrested Brandon Carson, 33, of Pittsburg, Texas, in Center on charges related to the online solicitation of a minor and possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
Although the CPD doesn't name the organization, they attribute the arrest to information given by a group which revealed evidence of inappropriate online communications with a minor and the possession of illegal material. CPD indicates Carson was taken into custody without incident and is currently being held pending further legal proceedings.
Authorities emphasize that the protection of children remains a top priority and that all reports of online exploitation are taken seriously and thoroughly investigated.
CPD expresses thanks to the group and the work they do.
The investigation is ongoing, and no further details are being released at this time.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
September 15, 2025 - State Highway 87 in Shelbyville is the scene of a truck-tractor chicken hauler rollover September 15, 2025 at around 2:40pm.
According to details from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), the preliminary crash investigation indicates that at approximately 2:40pm, a 2018 Kenworth T880 driven by Edward Hernandez, 51, of Lufkin and towing a 2008 trailer was traveling north. It is reported that the Kenworth was approaching a left-hand curve at an unsafe speed, left the roadway to the right, and overturned.
Hernandez was not reported to have been injured.
According to DPS, this is an ongoing investigation, and no further information is available at this time.
Shelby County Sheriff's Department Deputies, Shelbyville Volunteer Fire Department, and TxDOT assisted at the scene.
September 11, 2025 - The intersection of State Highway 87 South and CR 2110 (Cannon Cemetery Road) was the scene of a four-vehicle crash that took place on Tuesday, September 9, 2025.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) State Trooper Matt Chandler, at approximately 3:59pm, a brown 2015 Jeep SUV driven by Shauna Sims, 44, of Center and a white 2019 Dodge Ram pick-up driven by Caine Snell, 18, of Center, towing a utility trailer, were traveling south, while a 2024 Ford F150 driven by a minor driver was traveling north on SH 87.
It is reported that an unidentified vehicle was attempting to turn south from CR 2110 onto SH 87 and failed to yield the right of way to the jeep. The driver of the Jeep attempted to brake to avoid striking the unknown vehicle and was struck in he rear by the Dodge. After the Jeep was struck, it was pushed into the north lane of SH 87 where it struck the 2024 Ford. The driver of the unknown vehicle left the scene before it could be identified.
Sims was transported to Nacogdoches Medical of Center for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. One passenger, identified as a minor, was not injured.
Snell, and the minor driver of the Ford were not injured.
The vehicle or the driver of the unknown vehicle, have not been identified at this time.
According to DPS, this is an ongoing investigation, and no further information is available at this time.
September 11, 2025 - The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) confirms that Troopers are investigating a two-vehicle crash that took place on U.S. Highway 59 at the intersection of U.S. Highway 84 in Timpson on Sunday, September 7, 2025.
According to DPS, at approximately 2:30pm, a 2005 GMC 2500 driven by a 16-year-old minor driver was stopped at the stop sign awaiting to cross over U.S. 59 from U.S. 84, while a 2009 Chevrolet 1500 driven by Welton Earl Jr., 70, of Timpson was traveling south on U.S. 59. It is reported that the GMC failed to yield the right of way at the intersection and pulled into the path of the Chevrolet where it was struck.
The 16-year-old minor and a 17-year-old passenger were not injured.
Earl and one passenger, Bobbie Pace, 54, of Timpson, were transported to Nacogdoches Medial Center for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
According to DPS, this is an ongoing investigation, and no further information is available at this time.
The crash was investigated by Trooper Dustin Ramos and Trooper Keith Jones.
September 9, 2025 - The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Troopers are investigating a one-vehicle crash on Farm-to-Market 417, south of Center, that occurred Sunday, September 7, 2025.
Alcudia was traveling at an unsafe speed for an approaching curve, left the roadway, and struck a tree.
Alcudia was transported to Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport Hospital for treatment of possible life-threatening injuries.
This is an ongoing investigation, and no further information is available at this time.
September 8, 2025 - Dee Dee Green was sworn in as the newly appointed Shelby County District Clerk during a swearing in ceremony held Monday, September 8, 2025.
The ceremony was well attended by the Commissioners' Court, members of the District Attorney's office, County Attorney's office, County Treasurer, County Auditor, Constable Precinct 4, and Probation office.
The oath of office was administered to Green by LeAnn Kay Rafferty, 123rd Judicial District Judge, and Green was accompanied by her husband Cade. Judge Rafferty also commended Gina Soundy for her interim management of the District Clerk's office. Judge Rafferty stated that Green was appointed Friday by herself and Jim Payne, 273rd Judicial District Judge.
Green’s appointment comes after the resignation from the District Clerk office by Lori Oliver who held the office since 2004.
Green was first appointed to a Shelby County office as Justice of the Peace for Precinct 4 following the removal of office of Josh Ritter by Karren Price, 123rd District Attorney. She then ran for office and won in the May 2024 Republican primary against Cristi Estes and then re-election in November 2024 unopposed.
Prior to appointment, Green was a legal assistant at the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office beginning in January 2023. Since 1997 she was involved with the judicial system in Gwinnett County Georgia as a Deputy Clerk of Court; Judicial Calendar Coordinator; Judicial Executive Assistant, and as a Transcript Typist.
"I wouldn't be here without all of y'all. I look forward to the challenge that is coming before me and hope to work with all of y'all in the future. Thank you very much," said Green.
September 5, 2025 - Multiple fire departments responded to a fire at Nix Forest Industries in Timpson on Monday, September 1, 2025, located on State Highway 87 just outside Timpson.
Since that time the State Fire Marshal’s Office has been called in to investigate the source of the fire and they have confirmed they were requested to conduct an origin and cause investigation. The investigation is open and ongoing.
According to the Timpson Fire Department, they received an emergency page at 8:57pm that night for a fire at the Nix sawmill. Upon arrival the fire department confirmed that there was a fire at the sawmill and firefighters remained on scene for several hours extinguishing the fire with the aid of Center Fire Department, Tenaha and Garrison Volunteer Fire Departments.
The fire is currently under investigation, and more details will be released upon its completion.
September 3, 2025 - State Highway 87 North near CR 4020 was the scene of a single-vehicle crash incident on September 2, 2025.
Passers-by stopped to assist and emergency personnel were requested to the scene.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Josh Gradberg, at approximately 4:48pm a white 2022 Dodge Ram pickup truck driven by Brittany Fuller, 31, owned by Tyson Foods was northbound on State Highway 87 just east of CR 4020. Fuller stated an animal ran out in front of her and she attempted to miss a collision, swerving to the left and successfully missing the animal, but continued into the southbound ditch where she lost control and struck a tree.
Fuller was transported to Nacogdoches Medical Center in Nacogdoches for treatment of her injuries.
Timpson Volunteer Fire Department used Jaws of Life to cut into the truck so that Fuller could be extricated from the vehicle. They also worked traffic control until the scene was clear and further assistance was given by John Pope, Constable Precinct 5; and Shelby County Sheriff’s Department deputies.
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