Here's a list of recent activities drawing the attention of Texas law enforcement. List compiled on Nov. 30, 2011.
Ex-Student Shot, Killed in Tyler
A 19-year-old Dallas man, Brandon Raynard Willis, has been arrested in connection with a fatal shooting on the campus of the University of Texas at Tyler and charged with manslaughter. According to KETK-TV, someone called 911 at 7:22 p.m. and said they had shot their friend. Emergency responders arrived at the residence in the Varsity Place Apartments and transported the victim, Daveon Johnson, 18, to the East Texas Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. Police say Willis allegedly was explaining to Johnson that he'd been shot before and pointed a revolver at Johnson, thinking the gun was unloaded and pulling the trigger several times. The gun then discharged, striking Johnson. Initial reports indicated that Johnson was a student, but those were in error. He is an ex-student. Willis, who is being held on $50,000 bond, is a student at Tyler Junior College.
Train Strikes Car Stuck on Tracks in Fort Worth
At about 1:40 a.m. Wednesday, Fort Worth police responded to a call of a train colliding with a car along the 12100-block of Mosier Valley Road. The driver of the car told police he had driven off of the edge of the road and got hung up on the rail. The driver called a friend and they tried to use a tow strap to free the car, but they couldn't free it fast enough. A Burlington Northern-Santa Fe freight train struck the car. Neither the men on the ground or the crew on the train suffered any injuries.
Man Pulls Gun on Dallas Police
Dallas police said a person stopped by police early Wednesday morning pulled a gun officers. According to police, officers on bike patrol spotted a suspicious person along the 3800-block of Dilido. During a pat down, the officer felt the weapon and the person pushed the officer and tried to run away. The officers chased the man who then turned and pointed the gun at officers. One of the officers pulled his weapon and fired at the man, though he missed. The man then ran across Interstate 30 before he was taken into custody in a parking lot near Buckner and I-30. Officers recovered the man's weapon and no one was injured.
Girl, 7, Dies in E. Texas Mobile Home Fire
The body of a 7-year-old girl has been recovered following an East Texas mobile home fire that left four of her relatives and a firefighter hurt. The Wood County Sheriff's Office on Wednesday said the body of Jazmine Henson was found in the living room of the home in Winnsboro. The sheriff's office says the girl's parents and her grandmother were unable to rescue the child Tuesday night. The man, the two women and a 2-year-old boy who also escaped were transported to Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas for treatment of burns. A hospital spokeswoman says the three adults are in fair condition. Details on the toddler weren't released. Deputies say a Perryman firefighter fell from a fire truck and suffered neck and back injuries. Further details on him weren't released.
20 Arrested in Midland Pot Ring
Prosecutors says more than 20 people have been arrested in the investigation of a West Texas marijuana distribution ring. The suspects are from Andrews, Midland, Odessa and Snyder. Authorities also seized about 60 pounds of marijuana, firearms and more than $45,000.
Orangefiled Man Killed by Falling Tree
A 70-year-old Orangefield man has died after a tree fell on him while he was collecting firewood. The Orange County Sheriff's Office says Edwin Worthy was dead at the scene yesterday afternoon. Authorities say Worthy was cutting a large tree when the top got hung up in another tree. They say the cut tree then broke loose and fell on Worthy.
Woman Pleads Guilty to Drunken Driving Crash That Killed 4
A woman has pleaded guilty to killing four people in a drunken-driving accident in South Texas. Valeri Andrews entered her plea yesterday to four counts of murder over the August 2010 collision that also left her injured. San Antonio police say Andrews had a blood alcohol level above the legal limit at the time of the accident.
Man Sentenced for Drug Trafficking
A driver convicted of drug trafficking and assault has been sentenced to 12 years in prison. A federal judge in McAllen sentenced 40-year-old Martin Gonzalez-Ramirez yesterday. He's been in custody since ramming a Border Patrol vehicle in South Texas last May.
