Suspect with felony warrants killed in Tarrant County standoff after shooting deputy
FORT WORTH – A suspect who shot a sheriff's deputy three times while warrants were being served was killed by law enforcement after barricading himself in a home on Wednesday, Tarrant County Judge Tim O'Hare said.
The deceased 40-year-old man, identified as Bo Williams Aurell, had three felony warrants, including sexual assault of a child and holding a person under 17 against their will.
It happened early Wednesday afternoon at a home in the 2900 block of Elinor Street, close to the Fort Worth and Haltom City limits.
Fort Worth Police Chief Neil Noakes described the suspect as a "violent, sick, twisted criminal" who intended to kill the deputy.
"I just thank God that we were a quarter inch off and he's going to be fine," Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Waybourn said.
The deputy, identified as 13-year department veteran Todd Tipton, was shot in the back of his head, arm and lower back. He was taken to John Peter Smith Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Tipton, part of the fugitive team and a SWAT operator who executes warrants daily, was discharged from the hospital late Wednesday afternoon.
"Praise God for what was truly a miracle," Tarrant County Judge Tim O'Hare said in a social media post.
"Violence against police officers will never be tolerated in Texas," Gov. Greg Abbott said on X. "Join Cecilia and me in praying for Deputy Tipton's swift recovery and for his loved ones."
Meanwhile, Noakes called Aurell a criminal who is no longer a threat after SWAT officers returned fire. The officers acted after authorities were led to believe there were hostages inside and in danger, he said.
"At one point the suspect did state that there were people in the home besides himself and that was a concern," Fort Worth police Sgt. Leah Wagner said. "However, when officers cleared the residence, no one else was located and no other injuries were reported at that time."
A CBS News Texas chopper was over the scene and showed a heavy police presence. At around 2:10 p.m., SWAT teams got someone out of the house and began performing CPR.
Residents who live between Chesser Boyer Road and 28th Street were asked to shelter in place by police and to stay away from the area as much as possible as they worked to clear the scene.
Fort Worth police assisted TCSO on the scene.