Posts in category: Aggravated Assaults

UPDATE 3/24/23 – 3:25PM: On March 24th Tyler PD Detectives obtained warrants on two suspects in this case. Aaron Johnson, a black male with DOB 12/1/02, who is the person who was shot during this incident, for Capital Murder with a $2,000,000 bond. Nicholas Hudson, a black male with DOB 4/23/04 for two counts of Murder, each with a $1,000,000 bond. Aaron Johnson and Nicholas Hudson were both booked into the Smith County Jail on the warrants.

A correction on the age of Ladarius Jackson, his age was originally released as 23, but 17 would be the correct age.

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3/24/23 UPDATE: The deceased persons in this case have been identified as Donovan Dodd, a 19-year-old male from Athens, Texas and Ladarius Jackson, a 17-year-old male from Athens, Texas.

All persons involved in this case have been identified or are known to investigators. The male from Park Place with the gunshot wound has been released from the hospital.

This investigation is still ongoing, information will be released as it progresses.

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At approximately 9:53 PM, Tyler Police Department received multiple calls reporting numerous gunshots were heard in the area of 1909 Sybil Ln. An additional caller reported a vehicle had been shot occupied by two gunshot victims, and at least one individual was unresponsive. Both individuals were pronounced at the scene.

EMS and Fire were dispatched to the scene as well.

At 9:58 PM, a call came in from a residence on Park Place in Tyler from a person who had also been shot at the apartment complex. He was transported to a local hospital. His condition is unknown at this time.

Tyler Police Officers, along with Tyler Police Crime Scene Units, are on scene investigating both shootings.

This is an active investigation. We will post more information as it is made available.

“Multiple Shooting Victims at Trail Ride Concert in Eastern Smith County 

On Sunday, June 26, 2022, at approximately 12:35 am, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Operations Center received a call related to multiple gunshot victims in the 18000 block of FM 2767 in eastern Smith County. Upon further investigation it was determined this was at the location of an event organized by Unified Elite Riderz from Marshall, Texas. The event was described as being a trail ride, ATV ride and horse show. 

A determination was made that five gunshot victims were taken to separate hospitals in Longview, Kilgore and Tyler with one airlifted to a Tyler hospital in critical condition as a result of being shot in the face. Multiple Smith County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Deputies responded, as well as a unit from the Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office, Constable Precinct 4 Office and Texas Department of Public Safety Troopers. 

Upon arrival, the location was determined to be a large pasture with numerous individuals remaining at the scene. Smith County Criminal Investigation Division and Crime Scene Investigators responded to the scene. Investigators spoke to witnesses at the scene and have identified several persons of interest they wish to interview. According to witnesses at the scene, an altercation took place near the concert stage which resulted in one or more trail ride groups shooting into the crowd. Witnesses also advised that private security was onsite and was collecting firearms from attendees prior to their entry into the concert. Witnesses related that after the initial shooting that some of the groups ran to security and took their firearms back. Subsequently, a second shooting took place in that area. 

After the arrival of law enforcement, a third shooting occurred at the rear of the property. At this time it is believed that all injuries took place during the original shooting incident as no new victims were located at the scene by law enforcement subsequent to the third shooting. Only one victim remained in the hospital early this morning and is listed in critical but stable condition. 

A search warrant was obtained for the property for the purpose of processing the crime scene and collecting evidence. Investigators are continuing to interview witnesses and are seeking the assistance of the media in getting that information out to the public. If you witnessed any one of the shootings or have information pertinent to this investigation, please call our Emergency Operations Center at 903-566-6600. Investigators are also interested in talking to the promoter of the event, Unified Elite Riderz, as well as the personnel and owner of Diamond Elite Security out of Louisiana. The poster pictured below is part of the advertisement for the event. For more information on the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, visit www.smithcountysheriff.com. The Sheriff’s Office also has a FB page and can be followed on Twitter at @SmithCSO.”

“On June 21, 2022, at approximately 1:30 am, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Operations Center received a call from a third party that her daughter lived near the school in Lindale and her daughter’s boyfriend was actively breaking into the residence. The call was then transferred to the Lindale Police Department. At 1:43 am the call was transferred back to Smith County Dispatch once it was confirmed the residence was in the county and not in the City of Lindale. The residence was determined to be in the 16000 block of County Road 4100 near Lindale. Officers with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office responded to a burglary in progress call and Lindale Police Department units responded to back up the Sheriff’s Office units.

It was reported at that time that the caller’s daughter had locked her boyfriend out of the house and he was attempting to break into the residence through a window. The third party caller advised a few minutes later that her daughter texted to her that the boyfriend had made entry into the residence and had kicked in the bedroom door where she was hiding with her two small children. The actor began assaulting the female occupant of the residence and attempted to take the phone away from her.

Lindale Police Department Patrol Officers arrived to the location a short time before responding Smith County Deputies. Lindale Officers were advised the actor was still inside the residence with a two year old child.

At 1:44 am, Smith County units were dispatched to the location and the first Smith County unit arrived at 2:00 am. Upon the arrival of the first Smith County unit the channel was closed for emergency radio traffic at the location. At 1:44 am radio traffic was also relayed that the actor was known to armed with a gun, but it was unknown if he had it at that time. Deputies attempted to talk to the actor at the front door of the residence until 2:13 am when the actor was determined to have a pistol in his hand. A short time later Deputies on scene notified dispatch that shots had been fired and the actor was down. EMS had been staging near the location and immediately responded to the scene. Officers attempted lifesaving measures on the actor until EMS arrived on scene. He was treated by EMS on scene and transported to UT Main where he was determined to have expired upon his arrival at the hospital.

An inquest was held by Justice of the Peace Precinct 4 Mitch Shamburger at UT Main Emergency Trauma Room. An autopsy has been ordered by Judge Shamburger and will be performed later today. In any officer involved shooting involving a Smith County Deputy, it is common protocol to request a disinterested third party law enforcement entity to conduct an independent investigation. Texas Ranger Lieutenant Nic Castle and two additional Rangers responded to the location and are in the process of conducting an independent investigation.

The officer involved in the shooting is on administrative leave pending the completion of the investigation which is also Smith County Sheriff’s Office protocol.

We’re just glad that all officers and occupants of the residence are ok physically and we pray for the family of the individual who was shot.

Additional information will be posted as it become available. We are requesting the public’s patience as the investigation is ongoing.

For more information on the Smith County Sheriff’s Office visit www.smithcountysheriff.com. The Sheriff’s Office also has a FB page and can be followed on Twitter at @SmithCSO.”

– Smith County Sheriff’s Office