This interview was recorded Wednesday, April 26, at the Henderson County Justice Center with Sheriff Botie Hillhouse and Michael V. Hannigan.
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This week, Sheriff Hillhouse talks about a drug-related shooting and the dangerous drug fentanyl.
I. Statistics (0:37)
Summary: There are currently 414 inmates in the jail, including 98 contract inmates. The daily average for the year is 411 inmates.
II. Shooting Death (1:11)
Summary: Last Friday, April 21, authorities received a call reporting gunshots in the Bonita Point subdivision outside of Gun Barrel City. Soon after, another call came in reporting a female victim who had been shot. Responding units found the victim slumped over in a truck, and despite attempts to revive her, she passed away on the scene.
The victim was a 25-year-old female who had been living in the Gun Barrel City, Payne Springs, Cedar Creek Lake area for some time.
392nd District Judge Scott McKee issued search warrants, and officers began canvassing the area and interviewing witnesses. During the search, officers uncovered numerous firearms as well as methamphetamine, heroin, and a significant amount of fentanyl. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
A suspect in the shooting was recently arrested for aggravated assault and was found to be taking fentanyl. Medical personnel at the jail had to use Narcan to combat the fentanyl intoxication, the first time that has happened at the jail.
More: Fentanyl is a highly dangerous and addictive synthetic opioid that is more potent than morphine. It is often used to cut other drugs, such as heroin, and is a major contributor to the opioid epidemic in the United States.
The amount of fentanyl found at the residence where a female victim was shot and killed is concerning to law enforcement officials.
Quote: "The amount of fentanyl that we located at this residence alarms me and alarms all the investigators here. It's here, and we knew it was here, but they had quite a bit there,” said Sheriff Botie Hillhouse
III. First Responders Rodeo (11:34)
Summary: The Henderson County First Responders 37th Annual PRCA Rodeo is scheduled for April 28-29 at the Henderson County Regional Fairpark Complex. Gates will open at 6 p.m. and the rodeo will begin at 7:30 p.m. Admission for adults is $20 and $12 for kids aged 4-12. Children 3 and under get in free. Bullfighters Only (BFO) will perform following the rodeo.
Tickets can be purchased from Elder Dodge, Cowboy Headquarters, Cavender's, Boot Barn, Verabank, and First State Bank. For more information, call 903-677-6313.
There will be a raffle each night of the rodeo for two Radical Arms SR-15223s, and a ticket will cost $10. The raffle ticket will be good for both Friday and Saturday night draws. BYOB with a 20-quart max cooler charge of $20, but absolutely no glass is allowed. The GO TEXAN Committee will host a fried fish and crawfish boil Friday night and a BBQ cookoff on Saturday. Contact Stephen Magee at 903-677-2292 for more information.
Quote: "This event is growing so much,” said Sheriff Botie Hillhouse, “We've sold it out the last two years in a row. We couldn't do it without all of our great sponsors."
Sheriff's Report: Shooting Leads to Woman's Death; Rodeo Scheduled This Weekend