SMITH COUNTY, Texas — The Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed one person is dead following an officer-involved shooting in Smith County.
According to Smith County Sherriff's Office spokesperson Larry Christian, SCSO assisted the Wood County Sheriff's Office with a pursuit involving a stolen white box truck on Highway 31 West. Christian said the truck crossed the Smith County line around 10:30 a.m., after which the SCSO began pursuing the vehicle.
Texas Department of Public Safety Sgt. Adam Albritton said the pursuit began in Forney and then stretched across several counties and before eventually heading into Smith County.
Troopers made several attempts to disable the suspect’s vehicle during the pursuit but those efforts didn't work. While driving, the suspect showed "egregious and reckless disregard" for other drivers, which led troopers to believe his actions could harm a bystander.
One of the troopers shot at the suspect’s vehicle on State Highway 31 and FM 2661 near Tyler, ending the pursuit. The suspect was injured and taken to a local hospital in Tyler, where he later died. As standard procedures, the Texas Rangers are investigating the situation; no further details are available.