IDALOU, TX -- A "mentally disturbed" suspect is in police custody after he held 11 National Guardsmen at gunpoint. The guardsmen were transporting COVID-19 vaccines to the City of Matador.
According to the Idalou Police Department, 66-year-old Larry Lee Harris of Arizona followed three vans carrying vaccines from Lubbock to Idalou.
Harris then attempted to run the vans off the roadway multiple times before turning his vehicle into oncoming traffic on Hwy. 62/82.
When the vans stopped, Harris identified himself as a detective and pointed a gun at an unarmed Guardsmen. Harris then demanded all 11 guardsmen to exit the vans so he could search them. All 11 Guardsmen were in uniform.
When officers arrived at the scene, they found Harris in possession of a loaded Colt 1911 pistol .45 Caliber with an additional loaded magazine on him. A second loaded magazine was found inside his truck.
IPD confirmed Harris was taken into custody without incident. Harris told police he thought the people in the vans had kidnapped a woman and child.
“Mr. Harris appeared to be mentally disturbed. This was a very dangerous situation since the suspect was standing in the midst of the unarmed Guardsmen with a loaded weapon when the Idalou Officers arrived on scene," said Idalou Police Chief Eric Williams. "We are grateful that the officers were able to take him into custody without any of the Guardsmen, the officers or the suspect getting hurt."
Harris was charged with
- aggravated assault with a deadly weapon
- unlawful restraint of 11 National Guard Soldiers
- unlawful carrying of a weapon
- impersonating a Public Servant
- interference with Texas Military Forces.
None of the Guardsmen were injured and none of them were armed.
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