NCSO News

On Monday, January 21, 2013 at approximately 6:30AM, Nolan County deputies responded to assist Mitchell County law enforcement who were engaged in a high-speed vehicle pursuit traveling eastbound on Interstate 20. It was reported that a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) trooper who was working stationary radar on Interstate 20 in Mitchell County had conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for a speed violation. The vehicle was described as being a small teal colored, SUV with Oklahoma plates occupied by three men. As the trooper approached the vehicle, the driver exited and began firing at him. After firing three shots at the trooper, the driver re-entered the vehicle and fled eastbound at speeds exceeding 100 mph. The trooper was not injured in the gunfire and initiated a vehicle pursuit as the suspects continued to fire at him. The trooper lost sight of the vehicle near the community of Loraine in eastern Mitchell County, but it was later located abandoned on Farm to Market Road 1230 near mile marker 230 of Interstate 20, just inside Nolan County. The Texas Rangers arrived on scene and led the investigation as residents in the immediate area were contacted, and a search of all buildings, structures and vehicles was conducted. Tracking dogs, horses and a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Aircraft were all utilized to search the area near the abandoned vehicle, but the suspects managed to elude detection and remained at large. Just after 2:00PM, a tip was received from citizens when three males arrived at a house in southeast Colorado City in Mitchell County. After conducting an investigation, the three suspects were found to be hiding and barricaded inside the house. A perimeter was set up and several houses nearby were evacuated as a safety precaution. Law enforcement officials from around the area including the Nolan County Sheriff’s Office and Sweetwater Police Department assisted and supported the Texas Department of Public Safety and Mitchell County Sheriff’s Office on the scene until the three suspects were ultimately apprehended. After a near 10-hour standoff, entry into the house was made by DPS SWAT just after midnight and all three suspects were found hiding. Two suspects from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma were transported to the Mitchell County Jail and a 16-year-old boy from Edmondson, Oklahoma was transported to the juvenile facility in Taylor County. Myron McDonald Jr., 22, is being held on charges of attempted capital murder, felon in possession of a firearm and evading arrest. Christopher Deshawn Johnson, 24, is being held on charges of attempted capital murder and felon in possession of a firearm. Charges are pending against the juvenile suspect. The Texas Rangers are investigating the incident and their findings will be presented to the Mitchell County District Attorney’s Office. McDonald and Johnson both have criminal records in Oklahoma including gun violence.

Annelle Hill, Lucile Taylor and Stacy Villanueva were honored with service awards during the Nolan County Commissioners’ meeting on Monday morning, January 14, 2013. Annelle Hill who is currently assigned to the jail section was honored for her five years of service to the county as a Sheriff’s Office county jailer. Lucile Taylor and Stacy Villanueva who are also currently assigned to the jail section were honored for five years of service to the county as Sheriff’s Office booking and dispatch officers.