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.

 

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Comments

We need more real time info from law enforcement during situations like an active shooter. All we're being told officially is to avoid that area, plus whatever SAL! can steal off the scanner. They've known who this SOB is and his description for over an hour & a half. They could have 100k eyes looking for him, and his face on the 5:00 News. Now what happens if they don't have him hemmed in like they're hoping?
Mt54, Mon, 06/02/2014 - 18:47
More like scarier when they run out of daylight. It will be hard to sleep with little ones in the house knowing this guy is still out there and so close to us
live, Mon, 06/02/2014 - 19:31

That's not gonna happen. But... We'll get it here as fast as we can.

Bronc, Mon, 06/02/2014 - 20:16
Joe, excellent coverage of the "KIDY-TV news babe" being stung by a wasp! LOL. I love it! San Angelo Live is without question the best news source in town.
Great live coverage! Thanks for being on top of these dangerous situations. Your comment on the KLST "babe", however, was unprofessional.
bebop, Mon, 06/02/2014 - 23:43
It's a rich kid, well actually, grown adult child, who lives on a ranch, and is out there on his own property, not to worry, he's only shooting family and family friends, so far. Given that they are all leaving the scene now, it's probably all over with. all you have to do is a search of the appraisal website tomgreencad.com to see who was involved, the address was given.
DISMISSED,DISMISSED,DISMISSED.....THIS WILL PROBABLY GET DISMISSED AS WELL KNOWING THIS COUNTY.
bebop, Tue, 06/03/2014 - 11:39
Oh yeah, I mean mommy is still babying a 31 year old man, she won't file on him, and he shot his long-used lawyer, so nothing to see here. He'll just get shipped to another family ranch in another state to further stew in his self-indulgent world. Sad, but predictable.
Okay, I can understand wanting to protect the public but I don't understand why they had the area by Grape Creek Middle School and the residentail area close to the school blocked off. If the person / suspect was surrounded in the house that is almost 5 miles down the unpaved section of March Road then what was the purpose of an area which had absolutely nothing to do with what was going on? It made the residents in these area feel like we were doing something wrong. We are not living in a country that is under a police state, well at least not an obvious police state anyway. Since they have been chipping away at our civil rights for years, a little at a time, most people don't even notice when they take another one of our rights away from us. Still, what was the purpose of blocking off areas which were not even close to where the suspect was surrounded by local authorities?
jdgt, Tue, 06/03/2014 - 12:48
It's called precaution, Lisa. FFS. Perhaps next time you'd prefer if the cops came and attached a leash to your collar and dragged you into the middle of the action so you're sure not to miss anything?
woodsy, Tue, 06/03/2014 - 13:30
I do hope the Tom Green County Sheriff's Office is not investigating this as Tip Hargrove has represented many of it's staff in divorce, bankruptcy, and other civil matters. Specifically Investigator SGT Tom Moriarty. I think there is allot involved in this and I fear a cover up like the Tyree Timm case as a result and that kid will NOT get a fair trial here. TIP has always been a habitual philanderer so it would not surprize anyone if he was up to his usual old dog tricks. :-P
It is sad to see people speak about another human being like I see in some of the previous comments. If you don't have direct knowledge concerning the situation or personally know the people involved, don't be hateful. A family is hurting and the speculations are rampant. There is much information that hasn't been made public and the assumptions made above are wrong. Families have a right to privacy.
My prayers to the Hughes family, not surprised to see Tip Hargrove involved in something like this, IMHO the guy is scum!
bebop, Tue, 06/03/2014 - 17:47
Maybe some of us DO know what has gone on in the family. :) As for Lisa and the residents complaining about being protected -- it's called an abundance of caution. You'd be the first one to sue or something if this guy had gotten past LE and wound up near your place. They did what they did to protect you, to allow for help from SWAT, etc. Maybe once in a while, the police and sheriff's office know what they are doing in a situation, you know?
Based on comments it appears that some have drawn conclusions without full knowledge of the circumstances. Barbs about the family's wealth are unnecessary. Being blessed financially doesn't make a persons life perfect. Thoughts and prayers for everyone involved.
bebop, Wed, 06/04/2014 - 00:45
Some people DO know the circumstances about Gabe, this family, his previous troubles, etc. Much of it is public record, yes. It's also well-known in town. His grandfather was Mayor Allie T Hughes, the parents are prominent and known by a lot of people, including people who post here, so things known are not out of the realm of reality.
KHuber, Wed, 06/04/2014 - 08:40
The truth is Nina Noelle (and others who have posted opinion and judgment), you only have bits and pieces. And bits and pieces are just that - bits and pieces that leave out the full truth. They lead to opinion and judgment that is simply not helpful or necessary. I would ask everyone who has not lived through this personally with Gabe or the victims for the duration to please keep your comments to yourself, unless they are of the nature of encouragement, prayers, or your condolences. I don't say this lightly or to start a conversation of what people's rights are. I just ask all to please be respectful and to recognize that unless you are a direct relative, you simply do not know the full story or have full understanding of what those involved are going through, Gabe included. We appreciate all the prayers and support.
woodsy, Wed, 06/04/2014 - 09:45
I watched KSAN last night and our Sheriff was absolutley GUSHING over Tip Hargrove and his valant efforts to save the Mother's life and drive her to safety. What an idiot. Who voted for this guy? Yea Gabe is not going to get an impartial investigation. Where's his Father? Better get a good lawyer.
KHuber, Wed, 06/04/2014 - 13:23
I don't know who you are, but if you were a close relative, you would know that Tip not only saved my mother's life (YES! My mother...which makes me Gabe's sister), but Gabe's as well. Quit worrying about fair trials and quit posting nonsense. All those involved have been and continue to worry about Gabe's well-being, Tip Hargrove (who is more relative to Gabe than you) included. In the most polite way possible, SHUT UP.
I can see you really don't know anything. Precaution would not have a neighborhood miles away blocked off, it would have them making sure the young man did not escape from the house they had surrounded to roam the neighborhood. But then I guess you would like to have a police presence in everything you do. As for a leash to my collar, I am not a dog and you are rude.
jdgt, Thu, 06/05/2014 - 10:08
and PROUD OF IT! (I typically only get along with individuals possessing a high degree of common sense.) That must be why we're squabbling.
You are rude and that is why we are squabing. I do have common sense and I voiced my opinion. You on the other hand hide behind just initials instead of putting your name to your comments, hmmm, why is that? It is your opinion that you have a high degree of common sense. Me, I think that is your opinion and I am not attacking you for your opinion, that is what you do. You could have disagreed with my opinion without attacking me, so what does that make you?

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