Crime
Suspect Elpidio De Leon in custody after stabbing two persons in Shiro
Shiro, TX – A violent machete attack on a couple in their Grimes County mobile home Sunday evening ended with the suspect’s arrest more than 250 miles away in Corpus Christi, authorities confirmed.
Incident Overview
Around 6:30 p.m., deputies responded to reports of an assault near Highway 30 in Shiro, a small community situated between Huntsville and College Station.
Upon arrival, law enforcement discovered a male and female victim with severe injuries consistent with a machete attack.
The assailant, identified as 45-year-old Elpidio DeLeon Gonzalez, is alleged to have forcibly entered the mobile home and attacked the pair.
Investigators stated that the female victim is Gonzalez’s ex-girlfriend.
Victim Conditions
Both victims were airlifted to a Houston hospital:
- The male victim remains in critical condition.
- The female victim’s condition has not been publicly disclosed.
Arrest of the Suspect
Following the attack, Gonzalez fled the scene. Law enforcement launched an extensive manhunt, and five hours later, he was apprehended in Corpus Christi, over 250 miles away.
Scene Details and Initial Reports
The attack took place in a mobile home near Shiro Grocery. Early reports described a chaotic scene with emergency crews, law enforcement, and ambulances responding to a “mass stabbing.”
Authorities initially described the weapon as a machete.
Sheriff Don Sowell confirmed that investigators are still working to establish a motive for the brutal assault.
Community Alert and Investigation
Authorities initially urged residents to avoid the area around Highway 30 while emergency responders secured the scene.
Investigators have since completed their initial examination of the site, but details about the events leading up to the attack remain unclear.
Ongoing Investigation
The Grimes County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the incident. Gonzalez remains in custody, and charges are expected to follow.
For additional information or to report tips, residents are encouraged to contact the Grimes County Sheriff’s Office at 936-873-2151.
Crime
Walls Police Officer Da’Quarius Burton Injured in Deadly Mississippi Crash, Mother Confirms He Is Alive and Safe
DESOTO COUNTY, Mississippi — Walls Police Officer Da’Quarius Burton was injured in a deadly two-vehicle collision on U.S. Highway 61 in DeSoto County, Mississippi, but his mother has confirmed that he is alive, safe and recovering following the crash.
Burton, 27, of Memphis, Tennessee, was driving a Dodge Durango involved in the collision shortly after 8 p.m. Wednesday at the intersection of U.S. Highway 61 and Church Road in Walls.
The crash claimed the lives of three people traveling in a Honda Accord. The incident also left another passenger injured and involved employees of the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office Juvenile Detention Center.
Following the crash, misinformation circulated online suggesting that Burton had died and that he was a juvenile detention officer.
His mother, Tee Burton, publicly addressed the reports, firmly correcting the information and asking people to stop sharing unverified claims.
She confirmed that her son is alive, safe and okay. She also emphasized that he is not a juvenile detention officer.
In her statement, she expressed disappointment over reports falsely identifying her son as one of the people who died in the collision.
She also acknowledged the families who lost loved ones and urged the public to show compassion toward everyone affected by the tragedy.
Her statement included the following message:
“My son is alive!!! He is safe, and he is okay!!!”
She further asked people to verify information before publishing or reposting details that could cause unnecessary emotional distress to families.
According to the Mississippi Highway Patrol, a northbound Dodge Durango traveling on U.S. Highway 61 collided with a westbound Honda Accord traveling on Church Road.
Three occupants of the Honda were pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities identified the victims as:
- Latasha N. Dodson, 37, of Horn Lake, Mississippi, the Honda driver.
- Eddie L. Dodson Jr., 41, of Byhalia, Mississippi.
- Tamenshia R. Ford, 32, of Horn Lake, Mississippi.
Burton and another passenger in the Honda survived the collision but sustained injuries and were transported to a local hospital. Their specific medical conditions have not been publicly detailed in the information provided.
The DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that two people involved in the crash were employees of its Juvenile Detention Center.
One of those employees was Tamenshia R. Ford, who died in the collision. The second employee was seriously injured.
Sheriff Thomas E. Tuggle II expressed condolences following the death of the employee, describing the person as a respected and beloved member of the department.
“Our fallen officer was a respected and beloved member of our team,” Tuggle said.
The sheriff’s office also recognized the employee’s dedication, compassion and commitment to working with young people entrusted to the facility’s care.
State officials confirmed that the Dodge Durango involved in the collision belonged to the Walls Police Department.
The city’s mayor and police chief also confirmed that a Walls police officer was involved in the crash. Burton’s mother has since clarified that her son is the officer and that he survived.
An SUV displaying Walls Police Department identification was seen being towed from the crash scene Wednesday night.
The Mississippi Highway Patrol is leading the investigation into the fatal collision.
Investigators are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash. Authorities have not released additional details about what led to the vehicles colliding.
The crash resulted in three deaths and left multiple people injured. Burton’s family has asked the public to respect the victims and their loved ones while avoiding the spread of false information.
The investigation remains ongoing.