Rewards offered for info on two crimes

by By Cristin Parker and Michelle Dillon news@thecherokeean.com

Cherokee County law enforcement officials continue to investigate two separate incidents that occurred last week at opposite ends of the county – one led to the death of a Rusk man; the other to severe injuries to an elderly Alto couple.

Cherokee County’s CrimeStoppers is offering rewards for any information on these incidents. Call (903) 586-7867. Callers may remain anonymous.

A private group in Alto is also offering a reward for any information that leads to the identity of the suspect in the assault of Alto couple, Jean and Judy Williams.

On Saturday, Feb. 23, about 7:30 p.m., the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office received a call about the assault that occurred at the couple’s residence on a county road off FM 1911. Police reports indicate the Williams reported they’d heard an alarm on their property go off and went outside to investigate.

“The female subject observed a black male near one of the out buildings,” a release from the CCSO states. “This unidentified person struck the female with an object. When she screamed out, her husband came outside and retrieved a firearm and fired in the direction of the suspect. The suspect then ran from the property.”

In an interview with local ABC television affiliate, KTRE-Lufkin, Judy Williams said they heard an alarm on their property go off and she went outside to see what had triggered the alarm.

“We’re sitting there watching TV, and the back light come on and the buzzer went off, and I just went out there expecting to see some animal of some sort,” Judy Williams told KTRE. “I started walking away from the back door when a tall, thin guy come running from the back of the garage, grabbed me and slammed me into the ground, face down.”

Williams said the man hit her in the head several times, with what she thinks was a rock. She said she screamed out, and when her husband, Jean, ran outside, the suspect assaulted him, too. Judy said at that point, she was able to run inside and grab the couple’s gun and fired in the direction of the suspect, who then fled the scene.

The couple were both transported to a local hospital for medical treatment. Both seniors had been released from the hospital as of Tuesday. Alto First Baptist Church has posted a prayer request on its Facebook page.

Alto and Wells police departments assisted in the initial investigation. The CCSO, with the continued assistance of the Alto PD are continuing to investigate the two offenses of injury to the elderly. Anyone with any information regarding this case is urged to contact the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, (903) 683-2271.

Rusk man dies from gun shot

According to reports from the Jacksonville Police Department, Justin Lee Christian, 26, of Rusk, was shot while in Jacksonville Wednesday, Feb. 20, in the 600 block of Kickapoo Street.

“The victim, who had at least one gun-shot wound to the head, was taken to UT Health in Jacksonville, but was transferred to Tyler where he later died,” said Captain Robert Mitchell of Jacksonville Police Department.

The shooting took place while Christian was in a vehicle. No suspect is yet in custody, though Mitchell reported on Monday, there are persons of interest in connection to the crime. The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with any information in this case can call the Jacksonville Police Department, (903) 586-2546 or the Cherokee County CrimeStoppers, (903) 586-7867. Callers may remain anonymous.