LUFKIN, Texas — The shooter in yesterday’s incident at Skate Ranch is identified as Derrick Smith, 36, of Lufkin.
The shooting occurred on the skating floor around 6 p.m. yesterday when Smith fired a round at John Wade, 40, of Lufkin, following a verbal disturbance that began in the birthday-party area.
According to the Lufkin Police Department, Wade suffered a graze wound to the abdomen and did not require hospital transport. He was checked out by Lufkin Fire paramedics who responded to the scene.
Smith fled the business as a passenger in a white SUV following the shooting. He was taken into custody minutes later after officers made a traffic stop on the SUV less than a mile from the Skate Ranch on Lotus Lane.
A child, who was upset by the incident, suffered a breathing issue and was taken by ambulance to a local hospital to be checked out.
Smith has been arrested four times in Angelina County on charges including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, assault/family violence causing bodily injury, and evading arrest with a vehicle.
Smith remains in the Angelina County Jail on a charge of second-degree-felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
There were no additional shooting-related injuries reported.
