FCSO Chief Deputy Mowrey and Sheriff Shipley (far left) joined two counties in responding to an active shooter situation last week. (Submitted Photo)
The official swearing-in ceremony of Freestone County’s new sheriff was hastened last week with “business as usual” as Sheriff Jeremy Shipley was called out to an active shooter situation.
“I apologize, but we have to swear in Jeremy so he can get going,” explains Judge Deborah Oakes Evans at the induction ceremony of Freestone County’s newest elected officials held Tuesday morning, January 3, 2017.
Sheriff Shipley and Chief Deputy Devin Mowrey traveled to Wortham to assist the City’s police department before joining Limestone and Navarro County law enforcement in a standoff on Interstate 45 later that morning.
According to Wortham PD Chief, Kelly Butler, it all began the evening before when Clint Michael Hobbs (picture at right), a 28-year-old white male, convicted felon residing in Bryan, was refused a chance to speak to his child by his estranged wife, who lives in Oklahoma with the child.
After the phone call, Hobbs began a drinking binge and tri-county crime spree that subsequently ended with a standoff in a construction zone on Interstate 45 near Angus.
Chief Butler says that Hobbs, while still on his drinking binge, took off Tuesday morning from Bryan in a friend’s vehicle, a vehicle he did not have permission to use.
According to Limestone County Sheriff Dennis Wilson, just before 8:00 a.m. Hobbs pulled a gun on a trash truck and then fled the area.
“A deputy who was responding to the call saw the vehicle pulled over on the side of the road,” Sheriff Wilson says. “Hobbs opened fire on the deputy’s squad car as he moved in to make contact. My guy didn’t’ even have time to activate his overheads before Hobbs just started shooting at him.”
As Hobbs fled on Hwy 14 toward Mexia, schools and hospitals in the area went on lockdown, according to some reports.
Chief Butler explained that in Mexia, Hobbs robbed a store before making his way toward Wortham.
Just outside of Wortham, at an oil pump station, Hobbs ditched the vehicle he was in and carjacked one of the employees, holding him and three others at gunpoint.
Once in Wortham, Hobbs stopped at the CEFCO station at the corner of Highways 27 and 14 where he again robbed at gunpoint, taking beer and cigarettes before taking off once more.
On the road again, Hobbs headed down Highway 14, ending up on Interstate 45 near the 224 mile marker in a construction zone around 9:00 a.m. The exposed rebar caused a blowout, disabling the truck he was driving.
At this point, law enforcement from Limestone, Freestone, and Navarro counties were involved in the situation. All lanes in both directions were shut down as a standoff was underway.
During the hour-long standoff, Hobbs was seen getting in and out of the vehicle, casually drinking a beer and smoking cigarettes.
It’s reported that he kept pulling items out of the truck to make officers think he was pulling a gun on them; he even threw a knife at one officer.
“The individual was, at best, belligerent,” explains Navarro County Sheriff Elmer Tanner. “He comments that his life is over. He shot the finger to the officers in the tactical vehicle. I think it was a suicide by cop situation; that he was trying to bait the officers into firing their weapons at him.”
“It was unusual, but unfortunately, unusual is becoming the usual now with law enforcement being attacked and ambushed,” Sheriff Tanner says.”
By 10:20 a.m. Hobbs was in custody, without injuries to himself or any law enforcement or citizens.
Southbound lanes of I-45 were opened up shortly after 11:00 a.m.; and Northbound lanes about 40 minutes later.
“I’m very proud of all the officers and Navarro County SWAT involved that day,” states Sheriff Tanner. “More so, I’m proud of how law enforcement from several different agencies came together and demonstrated such professionalism and solidarity during that event, resulting in no injuries during this man’s crazed tri-county crime spree.”
As of press time, Hobbs has six filed charges and a total of $575,000 in bonds against him from Limestone and Navarro Counties. Charges in Freestone County are pending due to the transition of County Attorney which causes a slight delay in the paperwork being processed.
Charges per County
Freestone (City of Wortham): Paperwork not finalized as of press time.
Aggravated Robbery – Carjacking of truck at Oil Pump Station outside of Wortham
Aggravated Robbery – Shell Gas Station in Wortham at corner of Hwy 27 and Hwy 14
Aggravated Assault with Deadly Weapon – 1st Coworker at Oil Pump Station
Aggravated Assault with Deadly Weapon – 2nd Coworker at Oil Pump Station
Aggravated Assault with Deadly Weapon – 3rd Coworker at Oil Pump Station
Limestone (City of Mexia): Already Filed and Charged
$ 200K – Aggravated Assault of a Public Servant with Deadly Weapon – Shot at officer during stop
$100K – Aggravated Assault with Deadly Weapon – At store in Mexia – Store Clerk
$100K – Aggravated Assault with Deadly Weapon – At store in Mexia – Store Customer
Navarro: Already Filed and Charged
$100K – Aggravated Assault with Deadly Weapon – Shot at Navarro Co. Deputies on I-45 during standoff
$25K – Evading Arrest with Vehicle
$50K – Unlawful Possession of Firearm by Felon
Could possibly have charges filed against him for Criminal Mischief for causing damage to the construction zone.
“He’s not going anywhere anytime soon!” says Chief Butler. “He’ll be cooling his heels for a while in Navarro County where he is now. Possibly spend time in Freestone and/or Limestone counties as well.”
