Sheriff: Suspect in Grape Creek Surrenders Peacefully

Authorities say Gabriel Thomas Hughes, 31, of San Angelo surrendered peacefully to the San Angelo Police Department SWAT team after an altercation earlier in the day sent two people to Shannon Medical Center with gunshot wounds.

It is alleged that the suspect shot a woman and a man near Grape Creek. Tom Green County Sheriff's Department responded to the call.

Hughes has been charged with two counts of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon.

According to reports, the female victim had multiple gunshot wounds. "One in the leg, two in the arm," was heard over the scanner.  It is unknown what type of firearm was used, though reports mentioned an AR-15 type weapon.

The victim was at the March Road and US 87 intersection when the 911 call was made. Deputies searched down March Road for the suspect. Officials said he was in a building on a ranch with several structures, where the alleged shooting took place.

The Sheriff said that Gabriel Hughes is charged with two counts of felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

As it Happened: Monday Afternoon

4:47 p.m.

The ambulance just pulled out with the victim, headed for Shannon Medical Center.

Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer confirmed that there are two gunshot victims. They just arrived at Shannon, according to the sirens going past the San Angelo LIVE! office.

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 4:53 p.m.

The shooter is still at-large, confirms the Sheriff's PIO. Sheriff's Deputies are searching for him. The victims self-transported themselves south on March Road and meet the Sheriff about 1/8 mile before the U.S. 87 intersection.

 4:58 p.m.

The Tom Green County Sheriff's Department has issued the following alert:
"Avoid the area of U.S. 87, March Road, Choate and March Road; Wren and March Road due to police activity."

There is shooter on the loose.

The scanner reports are that the probable location for the suspect is up off Sutton Road, "where the county doesn't maintain the pavement." There are reportedly cattle trails and areas in the wild where the suspect may be hiding.

5:15 p.m.

Sheriff deputies at the scene said that no public information will be given at the scene. Several additional unmarked law enforcement cars and plain clothes officers have arrived to assist in the search.

5:16 p.m.

Reports over the scanner indicated that the 31-year-old suspect had a history of arrests and that the victims told the authorities on the scene that he had a history of psychiatric troubles.

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The Toyota Tundra pickup that the victims self-transported themselves to near the intersection of March Road and U.S. 87. (LIVE! Photo/John Basquez)

5:30 p.m.

The Sheriff's Department is searching for an unknown year white Chevrolet Pickup, reportedly driven by the suspect. Although the suspect may be on foot. We just don't know at this time.

5:58 p.m.

Sheriff's deputies, aided by state agencies such as the DPS, continue to search the area north of the March Road/Sutton Road "Y" intersection. You can see the dust trails of the vehicles in the background. San Angelo Police Chief Tim Vasquez is on the scene. Though his agency is not the lead at the scene--it's the Sheriff's--he said San Angelo PD stands ready to offer whatever resources that they have available to aid in the search, including K9, manpower, and the SAPD SWAT mobile command post. Onlookers on the way to scene on U.S. 87 report that the SAPD SWAT Mobile Command Post is on the way. 

6:13 p.m.

KLST-TV conducted a live remote from the scene. They are hidden off the main road down someone's driveway. No one wants the media around, not even nearby landowners.  The SAPD SWAT Mobile Command Post just arrived, and kept traveling down March Road towards the search scene.

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6:34 p.m.

Red Cross has been called to the scene to setup a canteen operation for thirsty law enforcement officers and first responders. The Grape Creek Volunteer Fire Department is also activated and providing manpower to keep the traffic under control.

7:09 p.m.

A press conference with Sheriff David Jones will be held at March Road and U.S. Highway 87 shortly.

7:30 p.m.

The alleged shooter is identified as 31-year-old Gabriel Thomas Hughes, who lives on Sutton Road near Grape Creek, according to multiple sources. But it isn't officially confirmed. Hughes has three incidents with the law in Tom Green County, including:

• 2006 - Speeding (disposed)
• August 2010 - DWI, 2nd offense (dismissed)
• October 2010 - ASSAULT CAUSES BODILY INJURY FAMILY VIOLENCE (dismissed)

7:49 p.m.

Sheriff David Jones gave a press conference at 7:30 p.m. At 4:05 p.m. the TGC Sheriff's office received a call about a shooting 15202 Sutton Road. Suspect has not been apprehended. "We have the residence surrounded and we're trying to get the suspect to come out. There is no danger to the public."

The Sheriff is not releasing names.

There are two victims of gunshot wounds. One is in very serious condition and in surgery. One is in stable condition.

The Sheriff is assisted by five agencies with aircraft, and the full capabilities of the San Angelo Police Department.

The suspect pinned down on a ranch where there are several structures and law enforcement is negotiating. "We have the house surrounded," Jones said. "Situation under control."

The Sheriff confirmed that it is a male suspect.

8:15 p.m.

Here is the video of the Sheriff's press conference at 7:30 p.m. today.

...

9:10 P.M.

Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Lt. Christina Lopez reported that the suspect is a white male, about 31-years old.

Five agencies are helping including Homeland Security aircraft and multiple SWAT units and the Grape Creek VFD.

Officer said situation is ongoing and does not pose a threat to public safety.

Lopez said the female victim is in critical condition and the male victim was "admitted".

11:15 P.M

Two helicopters spotted in the vicinity.

SAPD K-9 units are leaving the scene.

11:30 P.M.

A VFD pumper truck that had entered the scene earlier has left and some law-enforcement personnel are leaving as well. No ambulances have been seen, and it appears the suspect is in custody.