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PURSUIT FROM CANTON ENDS AT EAST TEXAS STATE FAIR – 10/2/2022

Just before 11:00 PM on Sunday night, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office was advised by Canton and Van Zandt County Law Enforcement of a pursuit headed into Smith County on Highway 31 West. Sheriff Deputies, DPS, and other law enforcement agencies from Van Zandt and Henderson Counties trailed a white Ford F-150 entering Tyler, traveling over 100 miles per hour. 

The pursuit continued on Highway 31 East, also known as Front St inside Loop 323, before hitting heavy traffic near the East Texas State Fair. For the week, the Tyler Police Department has set up a pedestrian crosswalk at Fair Park Dr and Front St to ensure the safety of those entering and exiting the fair. 

With the reckless pursuit rapidly approaching the crosswalk, the potential danger to civilians and officers grew exponentially. Luckily the driver of the F-150 stopped short of the crosswalk, where the occupants of the truck bailed out on foot, running into the fairgrounds and hopping fences. Law enforcement chased three occupants onto the fair, where suspects were taken into custody across the grounds. 

During all this, gunshots were heard at the fair, reportedly coming from about two miles north, near W Barrett St and N Englewood Ave. This is a separate incident, not related to the pursuit or the fair. 

Agencies involved in the pursuit are Canton PD, Van Zandt County SO, Henderson County SO, Texas DPS, Texas Game Warden, Smith County SO, and Tyler PD. 

Great work to all law enforcement for keeping everybody safe!

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