Suspect accused of shooting DPS trooper dead by suicide
The suspect accused of shooting DPS Trooper Chad Walker near Mexia Friday night has died by suicide, according to Limestone County Judge Richard Duncan.
Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper, Chad Walker, is in critical condition after being shot outside of Mexia on Friday, March 26.
Hours later, DPS Spokesman Ryan Howard said Pinson Jr. was found dead from what appeared to be a “self-inflicted gunshot wound.
"Earlier this evening, a 36-year-old man was found deceased with what is suspected to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound at a residence on Highway 84, west of Mexia, Texas. The deceased was the suspect in a shooting that injured Texas Department of Public Safety Highway Patrol Trooper Chad Walker on Friday evening."
Trooper Walker was stopping to assist a driver on FM 2838, when the driver exited the vehicle and shot him multiple times. Trooper Walker was transported to a hospital in Waco. The Blue Alert in this case has now been cancelled.
A Fundraiser for DPS Trooper Chad Walker in hospital after shooting. “All proceeds will go directly to assisting Chad, Tobie, and the kids as they have a long road of recovery ahead of them.”
Authorities have issued a blue alert for DeArthur Pinson Jr., 36, who is a suspect in the shooting of a Texas DPS officer just west of Mexia.
A blue alert is issued for people who have either killed or seriously injured a law enforcement officer.
The wounded state trooper was transferred to Baylor Scott & White Medical Center and was in critical condition about 9 p.m. Friday, according to DPS Sergeant Ryan Howard.
A post on the Texas DPS Officers Assoc. FB page revealed more information:
DPS Trooper Chad Walker responded to a “motorist assist” on FM 2848 near the intersection of U.S. Highway 84, about 5 miles west of Mexia. Walker came upon a disabled vehicle parked on the shoulder. He pulled up behind the vehicle and before he could bring his unit to a full stop a black male, later identified as Pinson, emerged from the driver’s seat of the disabled vehicle and fired multiple rounds at Walker through the patrol unit’s windshield.
Walker sustained a gunshot wound to his head and abdomen.
Pinson returned to his vehicle, where he retrieved a black backpack and fled the scene on foot.
The Texas Rangers are leading the investigation and are supported by several other entities.
DPS Victim and Employee Support Services counselors and a DPS chaplain have met with the Walker family, which includes his wife, a 15-year-old son and twin 7-year-old daughters and a 2-month old daughter. They live in Groesbeck.
Pinson is thought to be armed and dangerous and should not be approached, according to authorities. Before the shooting he was seen wearing glasses, a black hoodie and shorts with a stripe down the side.