Man accused of shooting DPS trooper in Central Texas found dead

Authorities said a 36-year-old man accused of shooting and critically injuring a state trooper Friday night has been found dead.

The shooting happened just before 7:45 p.m., near Mexia, which is about 85 miles southeast of Dallas.

A Blue Alert was issued for Dearthur Pinson Jr. after the Department of Public Safety reports he shot trooper Chad Walker. A Blue Alert is issued for suspects who killed or seriously injured a law enforcement officer.

On Saturday, authorities said they found Pinson with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound at a home on Highway 84, west of Mexia.

According to DPS, trooper Walker was shot after responding to assist a motorist on FM Road 2848, near US Hwy 84.

As he was pulling up behind the disabled vehicle, investigators said Pinson got out of the driver’s seat with a handgun and fired several shots at Walker through the front windshield.

Walker was shot in the head and stomach.

After the shooting, Pinson went back to his vehicle, got a black backpack, and then ran away.

Walker was taken to a Waco hospital in stable, but critical condition. Walker and his wife have a 15-year-old son, twin 7-year-old daughters, and a 2-month-old daughter.