Man fatally shoots himself during standoff in Hooks

HOOKS, Texas (KSLA) - A standoff has ended in an east Texas city after a man fatally shot himself.

According to Hooks Police Department, they attempted to negotiate with the man in order to get him out of the house. He instead fired shots at law enforcement.

Police then put tear gas in the man’s house, say Hooks PD.

Right before 5 p.m., he shot himself and succumbed to the injury.

Officials with law enforcement say the incident started Friday morning (Feb. 3) around 9:30 a.m., when some utility workers with SWEPCO were at a home working on lines. While working, someone reportedly threatened them with a gun.

SWEPCO officials say the crew was installing a pole near the house, but the homeowner did not want them to perform the work. That’s when the homeowner reportedly pulled out a gun and fired at them.

Read SWEPCO’s full statement about the incident below:

“During routine maintenance to ensure ongoing safe and reliable power, SWEPCO crews were fired upon.

The safety of our employees is our top priority, so we are incredibly relieved that they were unharmed and able to get out of the situation safely. Each day, and no matter the weather, our brave crews work tirelessly to keep power on for the communities we call home.

We’re deeply concerned by today’s events and our heartfelt thanks go out to the local emergency response crews for being on scene and working to de-escalate the situation.”

That person is now refusing to come out of the house.

Multiple law enforcement agencies are on scene, including the Hooks Police Department, the Bowie County Sheriff’s Office, and the Texas Department of Public Safety.

As of 1 p.m., the standoff was ongoing.

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