A Van Zandt County sheriff’s deputy was killed and a Canton police officer was injured during an exchange of gunfire with a suspect while law enforcement officers attempted to serve felony warrants at a home south of Canton on Tuesday night.
The shooting occurred on October 20 at a residence in the 4300 block of State Highway 198, according to the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies were assisting the Canton Police Department with the warrant service when the situation escalated into gunfire.
Authorities said the suspect had outstanding felony warrants for aggravated assault and aggravated assault on a peace officer. The operation began at approximately 10 p.m., with officers approaching the residence to carry out the warrants.
At around 10:22 p.m., law enforcement personnel reported that shots were being fired from inside the home toward officers outside. Officers returned fire, resulting in an exchange that left two law enforcement personnel wounded.
The sheriff’s deputy later died from the injuries sustained in the shooting. The Canton police officer was transported to a hospital for treatment. Officials had not released the officer’s condition in their initial public statements.
The suspect was subsequently found dead inside the residence with a gunshot wound. Authorities have not confirmed whether the wound was self-inflicted or resulted from the exchange of gunfire.
Texas Rangers Lead Investigation
The Texas Rangers are leading the investigation into the fatal encounter, officials said. Investigators are expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the warrant service, the exchange of gunfire and the deaths and injuries that followed.
Authorities have not publicly released the names of the deceased deputy, the injured police officer or the suspect as of the latest reports reviewed.
The investigation will seek to establish a detailed timeline of the incident and determine the sequence of events that led to the shooting.
