Shots Ring Out in Mertzon

MERTZON, TX — A DPS trooper was witnessed running hot southbound on US 67 just after 4 p.m. Shortly thereafter, we received unconfirmed reports that an Irion County Sheriff's Deputy had "shot someone."

We are in the area at the scene.

The Texas DPS and the Irion County Sheriff's Office have been searching for a fugitive from the law from Odessa. The man reportedly shot and killed a homeowner in the homeowner's driveway in southwest Ector County and then stole the homeowner's car and fled. A chase led to Irion County and also involved a second car hijacking. Since yesterday afternoon, the fugitive abandoned a stolen gold-colored Chevrolet Tahoe he was driving and fled on foot, eluding law enforcement up and until now.

DPS airborne assets were seen active in there area well after nightfall last night and the plane and accompanying DPS helicopters returned today. However, the airborne assets had left the area and landed at Mathis Field before 4 p.m.

An unconfirmed report from a witness in Mertzon said that the fugitive found a bicycle. Deputies discovered him and he put up a fight, we were told. We will have more as soon as we gather information at the scene.

The homeowner in Ector County who was murdered in front of his own house was identified as Ronald Wayne Irvin, 74. Ector County Sheriff's Deputies had an idea of the name of the fugitive but were not sure enough to release it.