Hughes Indicted for Allegedly Shooting Mother, Attorney

Gabriel Hughes, 31, was indicted this month for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon family member after allegedly shooting his mother and lawyer in the county on June 2.

The shooting allegedly occurred following an altercation between Hughes and defense attorney Theodore “Tip” Hargrove, 64, at a residence located at 15202 Sutton Road. During the altercation, Hughes reportedly shot Hargrove in the foot with an AR-15, and also fired on his mother, Cathleen Hughes, 64, multiple times. Scanner reports on the day of the incident indicate she may have been shot once in the leg and twice in the arm.

At 4:05 p.m. on Monday, June 2, Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the residence on Sutton Road for the report of a shooting. On their way, responding deputies were met by the two victims in Hargrove’s Toyota Tundra on March Road and Highway 87. They had self-transported themselves to the intersection to wait for first responders.

Both Hargrove and Hughes were transported to the hospital, where they underwent surgeries for their injuries.

Over the next several hours, various law enforcement agencies responded to the scene to assist, including the San Angelo Police Department’s SWAT and Hostage Negotiations Team, TxDPS and DPS aircraft, Homeland Security, Customs Aircraft, Abilene Police Department’s Armor Personnel Carrier and the Texas Rangers.

At 11:10 p.m., a SWAT team deployed gas canisters into the residence causing Hughes to exit peacefully. No one was injured in the operation.

Hughes was indicted this month by a grand jury, who met for one day. A pre-trial hearing has been set for Sept. 2, and Hughes has been assigned court-appointed attorneys Trey Keith and James P Sadler for his defense. Assistant District Attorney Bryan Clayton will lead the state’s prosecution.

Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon involving a family member is a first-degree felony punishable by 5-99 years imprisonment and an optional fine of up to $10,000. Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon is a second-degree felony and is punishable by 2-20 years imprisonment and an optional fine of up to $10,000

Hughes’ criminal history in the county is short and reflects the following three charges:

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