Shelby County Today

October 4, 2017 - The 400 block of CR 3801 outside of Joaquin was the scene of an alleged burglary of a habitation attempt Tuesday, October 3, 2017. 

Constables were alerted by the homeowner around 3:32pm and responded to the scene. Precinct 3 Constable Roy Cheatwood first arrived at the scene followed by Precinct 4 Constable Jake Metcalf. The officers then secured the location in attempts to insure the assailant no longer was on scene. Precinct 1 Constable Zach Warr also showed up to assist.

According to Constable Cheatwood, when the homeowner entered her home she was grabbed by an unknown black male subject who grabbed her by the throat and arms and threw her down in the house. He then exited the house through the back door carrying a safe which he dropped on the back porch.

The DeSoto Parish Sheriff's Department from across the river in Louisiana sent two deputies to the scene with dogs to trail the suspect. After the trail went cold, a third deputy with an aerial drone was requested from the department to make certain the suspect had left and was not hiding in the area. 

After the extensive search, and confirmation the suspect was no longer in the immediate area, the DeSoto Parish deputies returned to their side of the river.

Constables Metcalf and Cheatwood continued their examination of the crime scene and gathered evidence from within the home. 

The victim described the suspect as a black male, with a slender build about 5’10" tall and bald. 

October 3, 2017 - The City of Huxley Public Water System, PWS #2100019, will be conducting water system maintenance beginning Sunday, October 8, 2017 consisting of a free chlorine disinfection burnout of our distribution system. This burnout will continue for the month of October and end November 6, 2017.

This is a routine maintenance procedure performed to help reduce the potential for unstable water conditions and insure high quality of water delivery to our customers.

During this maintenance period you may notice an odor or slight discoloration, but the safety of the water will not be affected.

Should you have any questions during this process, contact the City of Huxley Water Treatment Plant at 936-368-2633 or City Hall at 936-368-2266.

October 3, 2017 - (DPS Update, 8am): A male who was a suspect in a Shelby County domestic disturbance case evaded law enforcement Saturday evening and fled to a residence on CR 3798. After running on foot behind a residence, law enforcement officers heard a single gunshot from behind the home and soon after discovered the suspect dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Shelby County law enforcement officials and Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Troopers attempted to stop the suspect on U.S. 84 at approximately 8pm, he fled from officers onto U.S. 59, continuing the felony evading until he reached the residence on CR 3798.

The Texas Rangers (DPS) were called to the scene and began an investigation into the incident. The identity of the suspect is not available for release at this time.

No additional information is currently available.

October 1, 2017 - A multi- agency police chase on the northern end of Shelby County has ended in the death of one man. 

Once on scene of the incident located on CR 3798, Shelby County Today learned constables were dispatched to a disturbance at a residence on the road sometime before 8pm September 30, 2017 and upon arrival the alleged assailant had left the scene with a 6-year-old child.

Constables Roy Cheatwood, Jake Metcalf, Jamie Hagler and Zach Warr were all in search of the individual when he was located at a car wash in Joaquin, and from there a high-speed pursuit began down U.S. Highway 84 in the direction of Tenaha. 

Additional units with the Texas Department of Public Safety and Shelby County Sheriff's Department engaged in the chase as it traveled to the U.S. Highway 59 overpass where the driver took the Carthage exit and instead traveled back across the highway and onto U.S. 84.

As the trail of vehicles, which at this point gained the Tenaha City Marshal's office, continued toward Joaquin the driver turned onto CR 3798 and headed to a house at the end of the road where he exited the truck and ran to the back of the house. That's when officers heard a shot of gunfire.

ACE EMS was called to respond as well as Margie Anderson, Justice of the Peace Precinct 3, who pronounced the man dead at the scene. 

The Texas Rangers were called and Ranger James Hicks arrived on scene at 10pm to begin his investigation, while Shelby County Sheriff's Investigator Mandy Fears gathered statements from those involved as well as witnesses.

Once the scene was cleared, the deceased man was transported by Watson & Sons Funeral Home.

It was later learned the 6-year-old which had been in the vehicle was dropped off with grandparents before the chase ensued.

More information on this incident will be updated as it is made available.

September 28, 2017 - DeSoto Parish Crime Stoppers Felon of the Week Program is asking for the public’s help in locating/identifying suspect(s) wanted from DeSoto Parish Area.

George R. Gilchrist of Nacogdoches, Tx. Gilchrist is wanted for Residential Contractor Fraud. Gilchrist is described as a white male, 5’11” tall and weighing 250lbs. Gilchrist is 32 years of age. 

DeSoto Parish Crime Stoppers is offering a reward up to $1000.00 for information that results in the suspects arrest, anyone with information is asked to call the Crime Stoppers line at 1-800-505-STOP(7867) all calls are confidential or contact the Desoto Parish Sheriff’s Office at (318)872-3956. Capt. James Clements.