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.
MT. JULIET, Tenn. — Authorities have identified two victims killed during an active shooter incident at Cedar Creek Marina in Mt. Juliet late Friday night.
The suspect, identified as Gary Haley, a convicted felon with an extensive criminal history, is deceased following an officer-involved shooting, officials confirmed.
Mount Juliet Police officers were dispatched at approximately 9:30 p.m. Friday to the Cedar Creek Marina, located in the 9000 block of Saundersville Road, after receiving reports of a man threatening another individual on the docks.
Due to the active shooter report, a shelter-in-place order was issued for the surrounding area as a precaution.
Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim was later identified as Robby Brogdon, who was transported to a local hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Despite life-saving efforts, Brogdon later succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators determined that the suspected shooter had retreated to a boat within the marina and had barricaded himself inside.
The standoff continued for several hours as officers secured the scene and attempted to resolve the situation safely.
At approximately 1:00 a.m. Saturday, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) reported that the suspect engaged responding officers and fired shots at them under circumstances that remain under investigation. Officers returned fire.
The suspect, Gary Haley, was later found deceased aboard the vessel.
During the course of the response, officers also discovered a second adult male victim, Nathan Jones, who had been shot by the suspect.
Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.
No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has assumed responsibility for the investigation, which includes a homicide, an attempted homicide, and an officer-involved shooting.
TBI agents are actively conducting interviews, collecting evidence, and working to establish a comprehensive timeline of events.
Upon completion of the investigation, findings will be submitted to 15th Judicial District Attorney General Jason Lawson for review.
Authorities stated that additional information will be released as it becomes available.