CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Beeville law enforcement officers found the body of a deceased 15-year-old boy from Skidmore early Thursday morning. A law enforcement source told 3NEWS that he was reportedly found with a gunshot to head.
Police identified him as the juvenile who fled from law enforcement Wednesday. He was reportedly found behind the BTX CrossFit in Beeville.
Beeville Police Department and Bee County Sheriff’s Office responded to the call and say both agencies are working together as the investigation continues.
The Skidmore-Tynan ISD administration has been contacted and will have counselors available for any students in need of their services.
The story below is before the update Thursday morning:
The community of Beeville and Skidmore are on high alert after a Skidmore-Tynan high school student reportedly stole his parent's car and a handgun.
Around 2 a.m. Wednesday a police pursuit resulted in the student crashing the stolen vehicle into a house near the Beeville courthouse, fleeing on foot.
Both Skidmore-Tynan ISD and Beeville ISD were on high alert during schools hours Wednesday, but neither district implemented full lockdown procedures.
Police continue to be on the lookout for the student and have not released a picture of the suspect due to him being a minor.
Below is the statement Skidmore-Tynan ISD shared to their social media:
Beeville Police Department saw the car but the driver tried to get away before he could be pulled over. Bee County Sheriff's Office Patrol Sergeant Adrian Zermeno explained what led to the chase.
"They attempted a stop and the vehicle fled at a high rate of speed and lost control and wound up crashing through one of the abandoned buildings," Zermeno said.
Zermeno explained that the crash left behind severe damage. When officers tried to apprehend the Skidmore-Tynan high school student, he had already run away from the crash site. He urges people to be cautious and call police if they see anything suspicious.
"If you see him, don't approach. We're still basing our information that he did leave and he was armed," Zermeno said.
According to authorities the juvenile suspect stands at around five feet tall with brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing an orange hoodie and blue crocs with red striping.
Zermano said the high school student has three active warrants out for his arrest and a motive is not known. The chase lasted several blocks from the moment he was spotted in Beeville.
Skidmore-Tynan ISD Superintendent Richard Waterhouse said Bee County Sheriff's Office deputies came to provide them with additional security and the district is working with law enforcement.
"We've talked to the friends that we know that he has and, kind of, interviewed them and said how can you help us out here and what can we do for this kid, and where he might be going," Waterhouse said.
Zermeno said police are urging the high school student's parents to make contact with him to turn himself in, and they hope to bring him in safely.
If you have any information regarding this investigation tonight you are asked to call police. You can contact the Bee County Sheriff's Office at 361-362-3221.
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