Two Hill County Deputies, Suspect Shot During Shootout Near Lake Whitney
LAKE WHITNEY (CBSDFW.COM) – Two Hill County deputies were shot while responding to an emergency domestic abuse call at a home near Lake Whitney Tuesday afternoon, department spokesman Stephen Girsh said.
The homeowner called police after she returned home to find her ex-husband there at about 2 p.m., Girsh said.
When authorities arrived at the call, Girsh said the suspect opened fire, striking the deputy in the leg. Responders then set up a perimeter around the home while the injured deputy was taken to the hospital. The man's ex-wife was not in the home during the incident, Girsh said.
Deputies then assembled a strike team and approached the residence to try and get the suspect out. They tossed a flashbang grenade inside the home, Girsh said, in order to distract the suspect and allow the team to move in and arrest him.
Upon partial entry, authorities noticed that the flashbang had started a fire inside the home. Deputies then retreated back outside. The suspect left the home shortly thereafter and began shooting at officers, Girsh said.
Authorities returned fire, hitting the suspect. Another deputy was shot during this exchange, although his or her injuries were not life threatening, Girsh said. The suspect was taken to the hospital and died just after 6 p.m., Girsh said.
The two deputies were treated and released from the hospital around 5 p.m.
Girsh said the suspect had an "extensive criminal history," although he did not offer specifics. Neither the suspect nor the officers have been identified.
"We've answered numerous calls at this location," Girsh added.
