Monday night around 8:30, anyone traveling on Highway 69 North near the Lufkin State Supported Living Center saw a huge gathering of law enforcement vehicles and closure of some of the lanes of Highway 69. The situation involved a person allegedly holding a hostage at gunpoint which eventually led to the shooting of the suspect.
According to Jessica Pebsworth, Communications Director with the City of Lufkin, Monday night, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office pursued a vehicle into Angelina County that was occupied by a suspect holding a hostage at gunpoint and ordering them to drive.
9-1-1 dispatchers attempted to de-escalate the situation by talking to the suspect on the phone and later attempted to patch a Lufkin Police Department crisis negotiator through to talk the suspect into surrendering. The suspect made threats against the hostage and ceased all communication.
Lufkin PD patrol officers were dispatched to the area of highway 69 North to communicate the status of the situation and assist in a hostage rescue if necessary. The vehicle made an abrupt stop in the southbound lane of highway 69 North near the Lufkin State Supported Living Center around 8:20 p.m.
Officers observed the suspect still holding the handgun toward the hostage and gave him commands to put the gun down. After the suspect refused to follow the commands Lufkin PD officers fired at the suspect to rescue the hostage. The suspect was struck in the neck with rifle rounds and was removed from the vehicle.
Lufkin PD officers began first aid on the suspect who was transported to a local hospital and was treated and released to Cherokee County law enforcement and is facing several felony charges. The hostage was unharmed.
This investigation is in its early stages and will be investigated by the Texas Rangers. In a effort to facilitate transparency, bodycam footage of the incident has been released by the Lufkin Police Department. You may see the video on their Facebook Page.
