UPDATE: September 23, 2022 4:30 p.m.
According to DPS Sgt. Dan Buesing US 287 has reopened in Hardeman County after it was closed for an investigation into an officer-involved shooting.
CHILLICOTHE (KFDX/KJTL) — Traffic delays continue in Hardeman and Wilbarger Counties as an investigation into a fatal shooting that involved multiple law enforcement continues.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety Sgt. Dan Buesing, on Friday, September 23, 2022, at approximately 6:50 a.m., multiple law enforcement agencies were involved in a shooting.
Hardeman County Sheriff’s Office was notified by a 911 caller at approximately 6:50 a.m. that his co-driver shot him. It was then verified that the caller was in transit and traveling south on US 287 just east of Quanah.
“This morning in Hardeman County, just outside of Quanah, there was a 911 call to the sheriff’s office of a shooting while moving in an 18-wheeler. That prompted the sheriff’s department to send deputies out to make contact with that driver,” Buesing said.
Hardeman County Deputies made contact with the 18-wheeler which then evaded law enforcement south on US 287. The driver continued to evade law enforcement for approximately 10 miles.
Sgt. Buesing said the 18-wheeler driver then stopped and exited the passenger side door with a handgun and fired several times at law enforcement. Multiple agencies engaged the shooter, who was pronounced dead on the scene.
“Just outside of Chillicothe roughly about a mile, that driver stopped and exited his vehicle with a weapon and fired several shots at law enforcement who then engaged the subject and he was pronounced dead,” Buesing said.
According to authorities, the passenger who was shot was airlifted from the scene with life-threatening injuries. U.S. 287 remains closed until further notice.
Sgt. Buesing said Texas Rangers are at the scene investigating. Agencies involved include the Hardeman County Sheriff’s Office, the Wilbarger County Sheriff’s Office, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Texas Game Wardens, and the Chillicothe Police Department.
Texoma’s Homepage previously reported that U.S. 287 between Vernon and Childress was closed due to an ongoing law enforcement issue, according to the Texas Department of Transportation.
The investigation is ongoing and traffic remains backed up for several miles along U.S. 287 in Wilbarger and Hardeman Counties.
TxDOT officials said a detour is currently in place:
- Southbound traffic in Hardeman County — South to SH 6 to Crowell then east on U.S. 70 to Vernon
- Northbound traffic in Wilbarger County — West on U.S. 70 to Crowell then north on SH 6 to Quanah
Further details are not available at this time.
This is a developing story. Stick with Texoma’s Homepage for updates on the closure of U.S. 287 in Hardeman and Wilbarger Counties as they become available.
