Crime
Grandson shot and killed his grandparents in Holliday, suspect dead
As the standoff continued, Holliday ISD and nearby homes were placed on lockdown to ensure the safety of residents.
A nearly eight-hour standoff in Holliday, Texas, concluded late Thursday night when authorities fatally shot a suspect around 10:15 p.m. on November 7.
The incident began earlier that afternoon when police responded to a home on Ford Road following reports of gunfire.
The situation unfolded at approximately 3 p.m. when Archer County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched after the suspect’s mother reported that her son had fatally shot her parents—his grandparents.
Upon arriving, deputies were met with gunfire from the suspect, who wielded a long rifle.
Officers quickly returned fire and called for backup, bringing in personnel from the Wichita County Sheriff’s Office and Wichita Falls Police Department (WFPD).
As the standoff continued, Holliday ISD and nearby homes were placed on lockdown to ensure the safety of residents.
The suspect then barricaded himself in a metal barn on the property, prompting SWAT teams from WFPD and the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to deploy drones for surveillance. However, the suspect reportedly shot down one of the drones.
Attempts to negotiate with him proved unsuccessful, as he refused to communicate.
Law enforcement then began using an armored Bobcat to dismantle sections of the barn to gain visual access to the suspect.
Meanwhile, personnel from additional agencies, including the Texas Rangers, joined the effort.
As the standoff escalated, officers attempted to clear the barn using toxic chemical agents, but the suspect, who was reportedly equipped with night-vision goggles and gas masks, remained unaffected.
Around 10:15 p.m., officers observed the suspect raising his rifle toward them, prompting law enforcement to open fire.
Wichita County Sheriff David Duke stated that due to trauma on the body, it’s unclear if a sniper’s shot was the cause of death, but the suspect was confirmed deceased.
The suspect, believed to have been armed with a shotgun and rifle, was identified as a 28-year-old male, though his name and the names of his grandparents have not yet been released.
The Texas Rangers have assumed control of the investigation.
Crime
Milton Shooting Suspect Made Threats to Police and Posted Concerning Messages Online Prior to Ambush
Gunman took his life while barricaded inside home.
UPDATE: A gunman is dead and a veteran Milton Police officer is wounded this evening after public safety agencies responded to a structure fire on Main Street in Milton, officials said.
The gunman, identified as Aaron LaRoche, 38, of Milton is believed to have taken his own life about 11 p.m., about four hours after he ambushed Patrol Sgt. Paul Locke, officials said.
MILTON, VT — Authorities have identified the individual involved in Wednesday evening’s ambush shooting of a Milton police officer as Aaron LaRoche, a 38-year-old Milton resident with a documented history of mental health concerns and prior threats against law enforcement.
LaRoche is alleged to have opened fire on first responders during a public safety operation at a structure fire at 78 Main Street around 7:00 p.m.
The incident left Sergeant Paul Locke, a veteran of the Milton Police Department, wounded.
He was transported by Milton Rescue with a police escort to the University of Vermont Medical Center, where he remains under medical care.
Initial reports indicate Sgt. Locke was shot from behind while wearing a bullet-resistant vest.
It is also believed that he sustained a gunshot wound to the leg.
Authorities have described his injuries as serious but not life-threatening.
LaRoche, who remains barricaded inside the residence, is known to local law enforcement.
He has a documented history of erratic behavior and has been the subject of multiple online posts that raised red flags among community members and officers.
In the months leading up to the shooting, LaRoche had made several alarming posts on social media platforms, many of which directly tagged Milton Police Department and the Vermont State Police (VSP).
These posts included threats and references to hearing voices, claiming he was under mind control.
The content had been a growing concern for authorities and the public alike.
“This individual had been on our radar due to troubling and threatening behavior online,” a law enforcement official noted. “It’s tragic that those warnings have culminated in violence.”
Following the ambush, the Vermont State Police took command of the active scene.
Multiple agencies are assisting in the ongoing operation, including:
- VSP Major Crime Unit
- Bureau of Criminal Investigations
- Field Force Division
- Tactical Services Unit (SWAT)
- Bomb Squad
- Crisis Negotiation Unit
- Local, county, and federal partners
The situation remains contained to the immediate area around 78 Main Street.
Main Street remains closed between U.S. Route 7 and East/North Road, and officials have urged the public to avoid the area due to heavy police presence and ongoing tactical operations.
VSP’s Victim Services Unit is providing support to Sgt. Locke and his family during this difficult time.
No additional injuries have been reported, and authorities are working to bring the standoff to a peaceful conclusion.
The investigation into LaRoche’s past online behavior and threats is ongoing.
Law enforcement officials are also reviewing whether prior actions could have warranted intervention before the shooting took place.
The Vermont State Police will release more details as they become available.
Media inquiries should be directed to the VSP Public Information Office via email to avoid overwhelming emergency communication channels.