Shoot-out at family reunion leaves 1 dead
2 others injured in Sunday morning argument
BY TERRIE GONZALEZ

One man is dead and two more are injured from a shoot-out in the wee hours of the morning Sunday at a family reunion near Rusk.

Dead at the scene was 24-year-old James Keon Jordan of Tyler, who was shot in the head with a pistol.

Lonnie Ray Gibson, 47, of Rusk remains in critical condition at Trinity Mother Francis Hospital in Tyler after a shotgun blast to the face.

Jessie Antowan Smith, 38, of Rusk was treated and released for shotgun wounds to both of his legs.

Lt. Chris White, who is investigating the shoot-out, called the crime scene "complicated." His office has already interviewed 15 persons who were present at the time of the shooting, and they still need to speak with another 10-15 persons.

The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office received multiple 911 calls at 3:20 a.m. from the Latressa Maden home, located off FM 2962 at CR 1214 near Reklaw.

According to reports by witnesses, the family reunion had broken up and people were leaving the home and walking to their vehicles parked near the road. An argument erupted that soon turned deadly.

"It appears that the people who started the argument were friends of the group holding the family reunion," said Lt. White.

Trying to nail down the precise timeline of who drew the first weapon and shot first is the objective of the investigation.

"We think we have figured out who shot whom," he said.

No charges have been filed in the case.

"Unless we get contradictory evidence, we will turn this over to the district attorney for a grand jury review," he said.

Lt. White said that Mr. Gibson is in very serious, but stable condition. "He is going to have some serious reconstructive surgery and rehabilitation" after being shot in the face.

The New Summerfield Police Dept. assisted with the case.