BREAKING: Name released of man killed in officer-involved shooting
KFDM/Fox 4 News has learned the name of the man killed in the officer-involved shooting in West Orange.
A relative tells KFDM Jeremy Taylor Culp, 32, of Bridge City, was killed in the shooting.
The DPS confirms the information and says it remains an active and ongoing investigation and no further information is available at this time.
The family of Jeremy Culp shared photos of him with KFDM. They say he was a veteran who served the nation in the 82nd Airborne and went to Afghanistan. They tell KFDM he'd suffered from PTSD following a traumatic brain injury in the war, but he'd been doing well for years, until Tuesday. They want people to know Jeremy was a good person who loved his family. They're glad no officers were seriously injured but have serious questions about the officer-involved shooting. They urge veterans with mental health issues to seek care and treatment. The Beaumont VA Clinic offers mental health care. You can call (409) 981-8550. Another option is TAN Healthcare. It's a federally qualified health center in Beaumont and Orange. You can reach them at (409) 832-8338.
The Texas Department of Public Safety says the events that unfolded Tuesday began during the morning hours when Culp allegedly fired multiple shots at multiple homes in Bridge City, then sped away and ended up on Highway 73 near Cow Bayou, where he struck a Chambers County Precinct 6 Constable's Office deputy on a motorcycle while the deputy and other officers were escorting a wide load, according to DPS Sgt. Shana Clark. We checked with Samantha Humphrey, a spokeswoman for Chambers County. She says the deputy underwent surgery for a broken leg and is recovering in the hospital. He's expected to make a full recovery.
He continued driving at a high rate of speed with officers in pursuit. The suspect's truck ended up on West Green Street at 15th Street in West Orange where he crashed into a utility pole.
A yellow school bus passed by the intersection. Seconds later, in video shot by Victor Morales, you see a number of officers converge on the suspect, who is laying down on the grass, near the sidewalk outside of the school athletic field.
Sgt. Clark says the man initially followed officers' commands to put down his semi-automatic rifle and get on the ground. She says he began to lay prone, but as officers approached, he picked up the rifle and pointed it at officers. They fired a number of shots and he died at the scene.
An officer at the scene suffered a leg injury, possibly from a bullet that ricocheted.
Administrators had students and staff sheltering in place until the scene became safe.
Sgt. Clark says they don't know what his intentions were when he crashed near the school, but she's glad students and staff are safe and officers were able to end the threat the suspect posed.
The DPS is investigating along with OCSO.
Sgt. Clark confirms to KFDM that a DPS trooper was involved in the shooting, along with multiple other agencies.
She says the DPS, Bridge City PD, Orange PD, West Orange PD, the Orange County Sheriff's Office, and the Orange County Constable's Office Precincts 2 and 3, were involved in the chase.
Here is Sgt. Clark's complete statement:
"Shortly before 9 a.m., the Bridge City Police Department received a report of multiple shots fired at multiple homes in Bridge City, located in a single neighborhood. Officers were informed that a white truck fled the scene. Shortly after this, a white Dodge Ram pickup reported to be traveling at a high rate of speed struck a motorcycle officer as he and other officers were escorting a wide load on State Highway 73 near Cow Bayou. After striking the officer, the pickup continued to flee at a high rate of speed and officers began the pursuit. The officer who was struck is reported to have suffered a severe leg injury, but his injuries are reported as non-life threatening. The pickup traveled to the intersection of West Green Street and North 15th Street near West Orange Stark Middle School and crashed into a utility pole. The suspect then exited the vehicle with a semi-automatic rifle and was given commands by law enforcement to put the weapon down and get on the ground. The suspect laid the weapon down on the ground and began to lay prone, and as officers began to approach, the suspect picked up the gun and pointed it at the officers. Officers engaged and the suspect was shot. Lifesaving measures were attempted and the suspect was later pronounced deceased."
