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
5 dead including 3 children in Silver Rail Elementary shooting in Bend, teenage shooter killed by a Good Samaritan
BEND, Ore. — Five people were reportedly killed in a shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in southeast Bend, Oregon, on Thursday, October 15, 2026, including three children, one adult victim, and the teenage suspect, according to preliminary information attributed to federal law enforcement.
The reported shooting prompted a major emergency response involving police, fire crews, and emergency medical services.
Authorities issued an alert at approximately 1:17 p.m., warning of a large police presence at the elementary school and urging the public to avoid the area.
According to the information provided, four victims were killed at the school. Three of those victims were children, while the fourth was an adult. The suspected gunman, described in preliminary reports as a teenager, was also reported dead, bringing the reported total to five fatalities.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting, including the identities of the victims and the suspect, had not been fully established in the information available.
Preliminary reports indicated that the suspected gunman was a teenager and was killed after being confronted by a Good Samaritan.
Earlier scanner traffic reportedly indicated that the suspect had been neutralized. Unconfirmed reports suggested that the individual who intervened may have been a father of a student at the school.
However, authorities had not publicly confirmed all the circumstances surrounding the confrontation or independently verified the reported identity and role of the person who intervened.
Investigators are expected to examine the sequence of events leading up to the shooting, how the suspect was stopped, and whether the suspect acted alone.
The first police alert was issued at approximately 1:17 p.m. Thursday. It described a large police presence at Silver Rail Elementary School and instructed the public to stay away from the area.
Fire and emergency medical services personnel were seen responding near the school as authorities worked to address the reported threat and assist those affected.
The shooting prompted urgent concern among families and the surrounding community, particularly after reports indicated that children were among the victims.
Approximately 10 minutes after the initial alert, police announced a reunification site for students and their families at Journey Church, located at 61303 S. Highway 97 in Bend, near Goodwill and Dairy Queen.
Parents and guardians were instructed to go to the designated location to reunite with students and receive further information.
Authorities urged families to follow official instructions and avoid approaching the school while emergency operations continued.
The reported shooting also prompted precautionary security measures at nearby schools. Parents received alerts indicating that Caldera High School and Jewell Elementary School had been placed on lockdown Thursday afternoon.
The lockdowns were reported as law enforcement responded to Silver Rail Elementary and worked to secure the surrounding area.
Further information was needed to establish how long the lockdowns remained in effect and when normal school operations resumed.
Although preliminary information indicated five deaths, including three children, one adult victim, and the teenage suspect, additional official confirmation is needed regarding the victims’ identities, the suspect’s identity, and the circumstances of the shooting.
The reported involvement of a Good Samaritan also requires confirmation from investigators.
This remains a developing story. Further details should be added as law enforcement and school officials release verified information about the shooting and the investigation.