Man wanted in connection to shooting of Texas DPS officer dies by suicide

(KEYE) - The man wanted in connection to the shooting of DPS Trooper Chad Walker has died by suicide, according to CBS Austin affiliate, KFDM.

Limestone County Judge Richard Duncan confirmed Saturday night that DeArthur Pinson Jr. committed suicide after barricading himself inside of a home.

The Texas Department of Public Safety stated that Pinson was found deceased with "what is suspected to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound" at a residence on Highway 84, west of Mexia, Texas.

Beginning Friday evening, a search was underway for the 36-year-old man who was wanted in connection to the shooting of a Texas DPS Trooper near Mexia, Texas.

Officials said DeArthur Pinson Jr. was considered to be armed and dangerous after fleeing the scene on foot where he shot DPS Trooper Chad Walker.

A Blue Alert was issued by the Texas Department on Public Safety early Saturday morning. Blue Alerts are issued for people who have either killed or seriously injured a law enforcement officer. The alert has since been discontinued.

Friday, at approximately 7:45p.m., officials say that Trooper Walker was traveling southwest on FM 2848 when he came upon a disabled vehicle parked on the shoulder.

Trooper Walker pulled up behind the vehicle to assist, but before he could exit his patrol unit, Pinson immediately emerged from the driver’s seat of the disabled vehicle, armed with a handgun, and opened fire.

Pinson fired multiple rounds at Trooper Walker through the patrol unit’s windshield, striking Walker in both his head and abdomen. Pinson then returned to his vehicle, where he retrieved a black backpack and fled the scene on foot.

The Texas Department of Public Safety Officers Association reports that Walker was transported to a Baylor Scott & White hospital in Waco, where he remains in stable but critical condition.

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