On July 18, 2024, at approximately 3:20 a.m., Longview Police Department officers responded to a local gas station located in the 300 block of S. Eastman Rd. for a subject refusing to leave. Officers learned that a privately-owned bus arrived on the evening of July 17th, and the occupant was asked by the gas station staff to leave sometime around 10:00 p.m. The gas station staff then called for police assistance just before 3:00 a.m. due to the occupant of the bus remaining at the location.
When initially at the location, officers contacted the male occupant of the bus. The male had a handgun on his person and refused to leave the location. During further investigation, officers located a family member in Florida who suggested it could be a mental episode because of similar behavior that occurred in the past. Due to the suspect being in violation of the law, showing signs of a possible mental episode, or possibly intoxicated, and in control of a large bus, police did not leave the gas station due to the suspect potentially being a danger to himself or others.
Communications were attempted throughout the morning by a family member and police negotiations with no progress made. Shortly after 8:00 a.m., Longview Police SWAT introduced non-lethal gas into the bus in an attempt to have the suspect exit the bus. After this tactic was given some time to work with no response, officers then entered the bus and discovered the suspect deceased from what appears to be a self-inflicted injury.
For the sake of transparency, the Longview Police Department has requested the Texas Rangers to conduct the investigation. The Longview Police Department would like to thank the Gregg County District Attorney’s Office and the Longview Fire Department for their assistance.
