Texas trooper killed in traffic stop; suspect captured
USA Today NetworkMarjorie Owens, WFAA Published 9:28 p.m. ET Nov. 23, 2017 | Updated 5:06 a.m. ET Nov. 24, 2017
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nati...ught/891842001/FAIRFIELD, Texas — A suspect in the Thanksgiving Day shooting death of a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper was captured Thursday night, authorities said.
Earlier in the evening, shots were fired after the suspect in the Freestone County shooting was spotted in Waller County.
"Shots have been fired in the area of Liendo Parkway and Wyatt Chapel," read a post on the Waller County Sheriff's Office Facebook page early Thursday night. "Please stay out of the area."
Waller County is located northwest of Houston.
Texas state trooper Damon Allen, 41, was shot and killed at about 4 p.m. CT on Interstate 45 just south of Fairfield in Freestone County.
Navarro County OEM @NavarroOEM
Suspect in today’s fatal TXDPS trooper shooting in Freestone County has been captured in Waller County near Prairie View. Excellent operation by numerous agencies to take this suspect into custody with no additional casualties. #wallercounty #txdps #freestonecounty
9:46 PM - Nov 23, 2017 · Texas, USA The suspect has been identified by authorities as 32-year-old Dabrett Black of Lindale.
According to the DPS Twitter account, the trooper stopped a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu for a traffic violation on southbound I-45 in Freestone County south of Fairfield.
Allen made contact with the driver and as he returned to the patrol unit the suspect fired multiple shots from a rifle at the officer, DPS tweeted.
The trooper died at the scene.
The suspect fled south on I-45 in a 2012 Chevy Malibu, which was later located in Waller County, the DPS said, identifying the suspect as Black.
Black has a previous criminal history that includes evading arrest and violence toward law enforcement, authorities said.
In July, WFAA's sister station CBS19 in Tyler reported Black was jailed in Smith County after a car chase with deputies. The chase ended when Black struck a patrol vehicle and both he and a deputy were transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Black was charged with evading arrest, aggravated assault against a public servant and reckless driving.
"I am saddened to hear of the tragic death of a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper killed today in Freestone County," said Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. "This trooper died selflessly serving Texas. Please join Angela and me as we pray for the trooper's family and for the entire Department of Public Safety."
Gov. Greg Abbott also reacted to the fatal shooting from his Twitter account.
"Sad on Thanksgiving to lose one of our state troopers in the line of duty," he wrote. "Prayers for his family. Swift justice for his killer."
Allen, a father of three, joined the department in 2002, DPS said on Twitter.
"Trooper Allen's dedication to duty, and his bravery and selfless sacrifice on this Thanksgiving Day, will never be forgotten," the department said in a tweet.
