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LARGE GRASS FIRE @CR492/CR35 – JULY 12TH, 2022  

by Brush/Grass Fires

At 2:05 PM on July 12th, 2022, Lindale Fire was dispatched to a grass fire in a hay meadow just west of the intersection of CR 492 and CR 35, also known as Lavender Rd. When units arrived, they found a fast-moving fire, that was about 3 acres in size, with structures and vehicles endangered. Shortly after, Red Springs Fire and Dixie Fire Departments were dispatched to this location for more trucks and firefighters.  

Some firefighters battled the dozens of hay bales across the meadow with gusting wind, while others tried to protect the structures and vehicles on the property. A Deputy from the Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office was called to the scene where they issued a citation to the person who started a controlled burn during a burn ban, that ultimately got out of control. In total 6 brush trucks, 4 engines, 1 tanker, 1 dozer, and 3 other support/command units were at the scene.  

As of 6:30M, there were still units at this location, roughly 15 acres have been burned.

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Agency Assist Pursuit ends in Tyler 7/7/22

by Pursuits

Around 10:35 PM on Thursday, July 7th, 2022, Smith County Sheriff’s Office and DPS units were requested to assist Cherokee County and Frankston PD on a pursuit headed northbound on FM 346 at CR 3506 in Teaselville.  

Minutes later, DPS had spikes set at FM 344 where the vehicle, a Chevy Colorado, ran over them, popping a front and rear tire. The vehicle continued northbound, eventually turning west on FM 2868 with speeds reaching 75mph. At Highway 155 S, the driver turned northbound and headed towards Tyler, driving through active road construction with workers present just north of Grande Blvd. The pursuit came into Tyler, turning east on Loop 323.  

Continuing at a high rate of speed, the driver ran a red light crossing Broadway Ave, nearly striking another car. At this point, deputies reported seeing heavy sparks from the front of the truck. The driver then crossed into the opposite lanes of traffic. Tyler PD reported a small grass fire at the 2000 BLK of E SE Loop 323 after the truck with heavy sparks went by.  

The Pursuit came to an end and the driver was taken into custody at S SE Loop 323 and Valley View ST, just south of Fifth ST at 11:00 PM. 

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STRUCTURE FIRE @15533 CR 1227 JUNE 26TH, 2022 

by Structure Fires

At approximately 11:28 PM on June 26th, 2022, Smith County Fire crews were dispatched to a box alarm structure fire at the 15500BLK of County Road 1227 in Flint, TX in Dixie’s primary district.  

First Fire Units arrived on the scene at 11:37 and advised that the structure was fully involved and declared a defensive attack on the structure. Due to the fire, a power line to the house fell on a nearby barbed wire fence, energizing it. Oncor was called to secure the line. 

Smith County Fire crews knocked the fire down quickly, calling control time at 12:07 AM. Crews worked the structure for the next two hours. Once Oncor arrived on the scene and secured the power line, fire crews were able to hit a few more hot spots before cleaning up, packing up, and heading back to their stations. 

Smith County Fire Crew had a busy 24 hours. Per Smith County Professional Firefighters Association L-5300, “Over the past 24 hours, Smith County Fire Department has responded to 3 different Residential Structure Fires. In all three incidents, the first arriving crews have been presented with heavy fire conditions. On all three fires, crews have made aggressive pushes to rapidly extinguish the fires. Having our full-time career staffing in these areas has drastically decreased response times. This gives us the ability to mitigate these hazards more effectively and efficiently. Keep up the hard work everyone!”  

Prior to this structure fire, at approximately 9:51 PM, Smith County Fire crews were dispatched to a transformer that was sparking in a heavily wooded area on County Road 285 in Chapel Hill’s district near Lake Tyler. The sparks caused the grass/woods to catch fire resulting in a structure fire as well. 

Shortly after, at 11:20 PM, Fire crews were dispatched to a box alarm structure fire on FM-16 E in Winona’s district. The box alarm included volunteers from Winona, Red Springs, and Jackson Heights VFDs. The first crew on the scene were career staff from Red Spring, assisted by career staff from Jackson Heights. Crews were able to extinguish the fire quickly. No injuries were reported and no firefighters were injured. In addition, there was a major, pin-in accident on I-20 at the 544-mile marker. 

All Smith County Fire Crews from ESD2 and Smith County VFDs did an amazing job with these incidents. 

All fire investigation has been turned over to the Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office. 

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FIVE PEOPLE SHOT AT A SMITH COUNTY TRAIL RIDE

by Aggravated Assaults

“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.”

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Smith County Sheriff’s Office – Officer Involved Shooting

by Aggravated Assaults

“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

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SMITH COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT RELEASED PHOTO OF SUSPECT INVOLVED IN THE ARMED ROBBERY @11421 HWY 64 W (7/11 GAS STATION) ON JUNE 8TH

by Aggravated Robbery
“On June 8, 2022 at approximately 1:15 a.m., Smith County Deputies responded to a robbery that had just occurred at a convenience store located in the 11400 block of Hwy. 64 West near Tyler. Upon their arrival to the location, Deputies were informed that a suspect entered the store armed with a handgun. He pointed the handgun at both the employee and a customer. The suspect demanded the money from the cash register while informing both victims to lay on the floor. After receiving an undisclosed amount of money, the suspect fled the area in an unknown direction.
 
Further investigation revealed that the suspect was a black male, 5’09” to 5’10”, wearing a blue hoodie, dark colored pants and a blue bandana over his face. He displayed what was described as a black semi-automatic pistol. Surveillance video footage will be obtained when it becomes available.
 
If you have any information concerning this case please call the Smith County Sheriff’s Office at (903) 566-6600.”
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BRUSH FIRE @County Road 3158, Smith County

by Brush/Grass Fires

Just before 5PM, Jackson Heights VFD received a call for public service on a grass fire. Upon arrival, Jackson VFD found two acres on fire and asked for a full alarm. Chapel Hill and Winona VFD were then paged out to head to CR 3158 to assist. A dozer from Red Springs VFD was later requested.

Firefighters battled the fire line in the Texas heat and in the end, an estimated 20 acres were burned. A control time for the grass fire was called at 8:13PM and all units are now clear of the scene.

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Ice Cream Van Fire @The Blue Store on HWY 155 S

by Vehicle Fires

At 11:52 PM on Friday, June 3rd, Smith County VFD’s Noonday Fire was Dispatched for a report of a commercial van on fire at the 16800BLk of HWY 155 S, in front of the Blue Store in Noonday.

Smith County VFD Battalion Chief 1 arrived on the scene at 11:54 PM and requested that Flint/Gresham Fire be added to the call. Shortly later, BC1 requested a Smith County Fire Marshall to come to the location. Noonday and Flint/Gresham Fire quickly extinguished the fire and had a control time at 12:07 AM

No injuries were reported at the time of the fire.

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Smith Co. SO Pursuit in Tyler

by Pursuits

At approximately 12:45 AM on Friday June 3rd, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office attempted a traffic stop on a white Buick sedan in the area of HWY 31 E and S SE Loop 323.

Soon after the traffic stop was initiated, a female passenger bailed out of the vehicle, running into the Pratt Homes complex before the driver took off driving northbound on the loop. The driver continued north on the loop, eventually turning around, coming back south. The driver kept stopping and/or turning off the vehicle, but continued traveling south on the Loop.

At 12:51AM, Smith County Deputies requested the assistance of the Tyler Police Department for an attempt to spike the vehicle’s tires. Smith County Deputies setup spikes at Delmar St and S SE Loop 323 and at Paluxy Dr and E SE Loop 323. Soon after, the suspect vehicle ran over the spikes at Delmar St, popping the left rear tire.

The suspect eventually stopped at the intersection of Troup HWY and E SE Loop 323 where Smith

County Deputies removed the driver from the vehicle and made an arrest.

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Vehicle vs. Water at Lake Tyler 6/2/22

by Traffic Accidents

At approximately 12:00AM on Thursday, June 2nd, Smith County Sheriff’s Office, Smith County VFD (Chapel Hill Fire), Tyler Police Department, and UT Health EMS were dispatched to CR 285(Old Omen Rd) boat ramp at Lake Tyler for a report of a vehicle in the water.

The call originally came in stating one occupant was on the roof of the vehicle while another was still stuck inside. Both the driver and passenger were able to make it out of the vehicle before it was submerged.

No injuries were reported