Local
Van Zandt County deputy dies after gunfire during warrant service near Canton
A deputy was killed and a Canton police officer wounded Tuesday night while law enforcement officers served a warrant south of Canton. The suspect was found dead inside the home; officials have not said whether the fatal wound was self-inflicted or came from the exchange of gunfire.
A Van Zandt County deputy was killed and a Canton police officer was wounded Tuesday night during an exchange of gunfire while officers served a warrant at a home south of Canton, officials said. The suspect was later found dead inside the residence.
Deputies went to help Canton police at about 10 p.m. at a home in the 4300 block of State Highway 198, according to the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office. The suspect had outstanding felony warrants for aggravated assault and aggravated assault on a peace officer, the office said.
At about 10:20 p.m., officers outside the home reported that shots were fired at them from inside. They returned fire, and a deputy and a Canton officer were struck, the sheriff’s office said.
The deputy was identified by his mother as Adam Sherifi and was pronounced dead. The police officer, whose name had not been released, was taken to a Plano hospital with a gunshot wound to the arm and was expected to recover, officials said.
The suspect’s identity has not been released. Officials said the person died from a gunshot wound but had not determined whether it was self-inflicted or sustained during the exchange with law enforcement.
Canton Mayor Lou Ann Berry told KYTX in Tyler that the suspect was sought after allegedly assaulting someone with a sword at a Walmart the previous day.
A prayer vigil was held Wednesday afternoon outside the Van Zandt County Courthouse. The sheriff’s office said the investigation is ongoing and the Texas Rangers will lead it.