LONGVIEW, Texas — The Gregg County Sheriff's Office is investigating after a man died by suicide in a Longview-area church parking lot Wednesday evening.
According to the GCSO, officials located a wanted man, identified as Just Randall Barrett, who had three felony warrants out of Rusk County. Authorities say he previously made threats to shoot law enforcement if they came in contact with him.
"Out of an abundance of caution and in the interest of public safety, the decision was made to wait for Mr. Barrett to leave the public areas and travel to the rural part of the county before attempting to arrest him," the GCSO said.
Around 4:40 p.m., patrol deputies attempted to perform a traffic stop on Barrett just north of Spring Hill Assembly of God Church, located at 5115 Gilmer Rd. in Longview, near the intersection of Gregg Tex Rd.
Barrett pulled into the parking lot of the church and took his own life before he was able to be taken into custody, officials said.
"Gregg County deputies immediately began life-saving procedures on Mr. Barrett, but due to the catastrophic injuries sustained, Mr. Barrett passed away at the scene," the GCSO said.
Since Barrett was involved in a traffic stop at the time of the incident, the GCSO requested the Texas Rangers assist in the investigation, per department policy.
"During the incident, there were no gunshots exchanged with Mr. Barrett and no officer or members of the public were harmed," the GCSO said.
Wednesday evening services at the church were canceled.
The investigation is ongoing and CBS19 will update this story as more information becomes available.
