A Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) State Trooper was murdered during a traffic stop on Thanksgiving Day and the suspect is now in custody. The State Trooper, Damon Allen, was reportedly a father of three and a husband.
State Trooper Allen reportedly pulled over the suspect, Dabrett Montreal Black, for a traffic violation. At some point in the interaction, Black allegedly pulled out a rifle and murdered the State Trooper by firing multiple shots. Texas law enforcement response was swift and captured the alleged murderer.
Texas DPS Director Steve McCraw released this statement:
“Our DPS family is heartbroken tonight after one of Texas’ finest law enforcement officers was killed in the line of duty. Texas Highway Patrol Trooper Damon Allen was a loving husband and father of three, and we ask for your prayers for his entire family and his many friends and colleagues during the difficult days ahead. Trooper Allen’s dedication to duty, and his bravery and selfless sacrifice on this Thanksgiving Day, will never be forgotten.”
The shooting occurred south of Dallas, Texas, in Freestone county. According to multiple local news outlets, a gunfight ensued after Texas law enforcement officers closed in on the suspect. Houston’s ABC 13 reports:
Texas DPS officials said Allen stopped Black on the southbound lanes of I-45 near Fairfield for a traffic violation around 3:45 p.m. Thursday. Allen approached the vehicle and made contact with Black. After he returned to his patrol unit, DPS officials believe Black fired multiple shots with a rifle at the trooper. He died at the scene.
According to the Waller County Sheriff’s Office, Black drove from Freestone County in a Chevy Malibu to Waller County near Prairie View. In Waller County, the suspect was involved in a shooting near Liendo Parkway and Wyatt Chapel, deputies said.
Black was wounded in the leg by a bullet and also bitten by a K-9 before being taken into custody just after 9 p.m. He was taken to a hospital in Bryan for observation.