Texas: Did You Get a Blue Alert Late Last Night? Here’s an Update
In my part of Lubbock last night, it was raining pretty consistently, with beautiful lightning strikes. I was cozied up under a blanket watching Archer with my cat and completely settled for the night. Maybe that's why I nearly jumped out of my skin when my phone buzzed with a Blue Alert around midnight.
In case you don't know, this is what a Blue Alert is:
Texas Blue Alerts are designed to speed in the apprehension of violent criminals who kill or seriously wound local, state, or federal law enforcement officers.
During a Blue Alert, the public is provided information regarding the suspected assailant so that tips and leads about that person can be directed toward law enforcement.
If you spot or locate someone wanted in connection with a Blue Alert, call 911 and do not attempt to apprehend the person on your own.
The state's Blue Alert program was created Aug. 18, 2008, by Gov. Rick Perry (R) who created the program under Executive Order RP-68.
Last night's Blue Alert was in regards to a vehicle involved in a shooting of a Texas deputy that was spotted in Jolly, Texas. Jolly is basically Wichita Falls and a little over 200 miles away from Lubbock.
The Wichita Falls Times Record News reported a Clay County deputy was shot during a traffic stop involving the vehicle. Sheriff Jeff Lyde said the deputy was "slightly wounded but will be OK. Lyde said Chitwood was wearing his bulletproof vest when the slug hit him in the upper chest," reported the newspaper.
I'm glad to hear the deputy involved is OK. An update was provided by news outlets Tuesday morning (August 17th), as the vehicle was located, but the suspect is still at large:
Shortly after 7 a.m. Tuesday, the newspaper reported the suspect's vehicle appeared to be located, but no arrests were made.
Texas DPS confirmed with KHOU 11 that the Cadillac was found. The Blue Alert continues at this time as the search for the suspect is ongoing.
If you have any information about this incident, you can call the Wichita Falls police department at (940) 720-5000.