Crime
Disgruntled Former Employee in Custody After Fires Shots Outside Walmart in Katy
KATY, TX – On Monday, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez confirmed deputies responded to reports of gunfire at a Walmart store located on the Grand Parkway at Morton Road in the Katy area.
Initial reports described the situation as an “active shooter” incident, prompting a swift law enforcement response.
However, Gonzalez later clarified that it was not an active shooter event and assured the public that there was no immediate danger.
According to Sheriff Gonzalez, the incident began when a disgruntled former employee arrived at the Walmart and caused a disturbance.
Store staff intervened and escorted the individual out of the building.
As he was being removed, the suspect fired multiple shots toward the nearby freeway. Thankfully, no one was injured during the incident.
After firing the shots, the suspect left the store. Deputies responded promptly, locating the suspect’s vehicle a short distance away.
Law enforcement conducted a traffic stop, and the suspect was taken into custody without further incident.
Sheriff Gonzalez praised the rapid response of the deputies, which ensured the situation was brought under control quickly and without harm to the community.
The incident remains under investigation, and the suspect’s identity, along with potential charges, will be released as the investigation progresses.
Residents are reassured that the situation is resolved and there is no lingering threat in the area.
Crime
2 Christian County deputies killed in the line of duty, suspect Richard Bird also dead
The name of the second deputy has not yet been publicly released pending family notification.
Christian County, Mo. — A massive multi-agency manhunt in Christian County has ended with the suspect dead, but not before claiming the lives of two sheriff’s deputies and injuring two others.
According to Brad Cole, the suspect, Richard Bird, was shot and killed by law enforcement officers early Tuesday morning near the roundabout on State Highway 160 close to Reeds Spring.
Authorities confirmed that two deputies with the Christian County Sheriff’s Office were killed in the line of duty during the operation.
One of the fallen deputies has been identified as 30-year-old Deputy Gabriel Ramirez.
The name of the second deputy has not yet been publicly released pending family notification.
In addition to the two fatalities, one Christian County deputy and one deputy from the Webster County Sheriff’s Office were wounded during the exchange of gunfire.
Sheriff Cole stated that their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
The violence began around 4:00 p.m. Monday when a Christian County deputy conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of State Highway 160 and Route HH, south of Highlandville.
During that stop, Deputy Ramirez was fatally shot, prompting a Blue Alert and a large-scale manhunt for Bird.
After Bird’s vehicle was located abandoned, officers from across the Ozarks converged on the area. Sheriff Cole said approximately 100 officers, deputies, and state troopers participated in the search effort, along with federal partners including the U.S. Marshals Service, the FBI, and the ATF.
The search continued for hours into the early morning. A helicopter operated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol detected a moving heat signature in a wooded area near Reeds Spring. As deputies approached the location, Bird reportedly opened fire. Law enforcement officers returned fire, fatally striking the suspect and ending the threat.
While the suspect was neutralized, the outcome has left the community in mourning. Two deputies lost their lives in the line of duty, and two others were injured.
Sheriff Cole described the loss as devastating for the department and the broader community. Families of the fallen deputies are now grieving, and colleagues across multiple agencies are reflecting on the risks law enforcement officers face daily.
The investigation into the incident remains ongoing as authorities continue to process the scene and review the circumstances surrounding the shootings.