High-speed chase ends in officer shooting suspect, who later died of injuries

Published 5:30 pm Wednesday, September 11, 2024

A truck authorities believe was stolen is towed off Wednesday after the driver, who allegedly stole the vehicle, was shot by an officer and later died. (Tony Smith/Contributed Photo)

From Staff Reports

A person has died after a high-speed chase involving a stolen box truck ended in an officer-involved shooting.



Texas Department of Public Safety Sgt. Adam Albritton said a DPS trooper shot the suspect who allegedly stole the truck and led multiple agencies on a high-speed chase Wednesday morning. The suspect later died.

Albritton said the pursuit began in Forney and stretched through several counties and eventually into Smith County. Smith County Sheriff’s Office Spokesman Sgt. Larry Christian said the pursuit crossed the county line around 10:30 a.m.

“Troopers made several attempts to disable the suspect’s vehicle during the pursuit, to no avail,” Albritton said in a news release Wednesday evening. “Through his driving behavior, the suspect demonstrated an egregious and reckless disregard for other motorists, leading troopers to reasonably believe his actions of harming a bystander were imminent.”

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A Texas Highway Patrol trooper discharged his firearm at the suspect’s vehicle on State Highway 31 near Tyler, ultimately ending the pursuit around 11 a.m.

The suspect was injured in the shooting and taken to a Tyler hospital where he later died.

Highway 31 at the intersection of Toll 49 remained shut down for several hours Wednesday, causing traffic delays in the area. A helicopter could also be seen hovering over the area where the pursuit ended.

The box truck was later towed away. Photos from the scene showed the truck’s front tires had come off and glass of the driver’s side window was shattered.

The truck was branded Marquee Event Rentals, which is a party equipment rental service that has showrooms in Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, Kansas City and Chicago, according to its website. It provides event services for weddings, corporate events, festivals and more.

The Texas Rangers will be investigating this shooting, as is standard protocol for situations like these.