Crime
16-Year-Old Hailey Blake and Father Shawn Blake Killed in Liberty City Park Targeted Shooting

LIBERTY CITY, Texas — A 16-year-old girl and her father were fatally shot Monday afternoon in what investigators believe was a targeted attack at Hugh Camp Memorial Park in Liberty City, according to the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office.
The victims have been identified as Hailey Nicole Blake, 16, and her father, Shawn Glen Blake, 49. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities said a third individual, believed to be Hailey’s boyfriend, Christopher Wayne Hicks Jr., sustained what appeared to be self-inflicted, life-threatening injuries.
He was transported to a local hospital, where his condition remains critical.
Deputies, along with Christus EMS personnel and Texas Department of Public Safety troopers, responded to the park Monday afternoon after reports of multiple gunshot victims.
Life-saving measures were initiated, but both Hailey and her father could not be revived.
In a statement issued Tuesday, Chief Deputy Craig Harrington emphasized that the violence was not random:
“At this time, it is believed this was a targeted attack and not a random act of violence. There were no other injuries at the park reported other than the three subjects involved.”
The sheriff’s office confirmed that two off-duty first responders who happened to be at the park immediately assisted the victims, though they were not directly involved in the altercation.
Hailey was a student at Sabine High School. The school district expressed its condolences in a statement Monday night, saying:
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of one of our students. We will have additional support and counseling on campus tomorrow. Please keep the families, our school, and our community in your prayers.”
The Gregg County Sheriff’s Office is urging anyone who witnessed the shooting or has information relevant to the investigation to come forward.
Crime
Woman Fatally Struck by Semi-Truck on Birmingham Interstate Exit Ramp Identified as Shontea Baker

Authorities have identified the woman who was killed earlier this week after being struck by a semi-truck on an interstate exit ramp in Birmingham.
The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office confirmed on Friday that the victim was Shontea Renee Baker, 40, a Birmingham resident.
The fatal incident occurred at approximately 10:26 a.m. Wednesday on the Arkadelphia Road exit ramp from Interstate 59/20.
Emergency responders pronounced Baker deceased at the scene at 10:42 a.m.
At this time, no further details regarding the circumstances of the crash have been released.
The Birmingham Police Department is continuing to investigate the incident.