Texas prosecutor killed near courthouse, report says

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

Officials responding to the scene where authorities say an assistant district attorney has been shot and killed near the North Texas county courthouse where he worked on Jan. 31, 2013.

/ KTVT/KTXA via CBS DFW

(CBS/AP) KAUFMAN, Texas - Authorities say a Texas assistant district attorney has been shot and killed near the Kaufman County courthouse where he worked.

The shooting occurred just before 9 a.m. Thursday outside a building across from the main Kaufman County courthouse. Authorities say two suspects in the shooting are being sought. No motive has been released.

The name of the prosecutor was not immediately announced, pending notification of the family.

According to CBS DFW, officials from the Kaufman Police Department, Kaufman County Sheriff's Department, and the Texas Rangers are all working the case.

Initially the Kaufman County Courthouse was placed on lockdown, but around 10:30 a.m. officials closed the building and sent employees home.

CBS DFW reports state troopers have confirmed that an all points bulletin has been put out for two males, wearing all black clothing and tactical vests. The men are believed to be driving a silver-colored, late-model Ford Taurus with no license plates on the vehicle.

As a precaution administrators have put the entire Kaufman Independent School District on full lockdown "until further notice."

At a news conference, local law enforcement officials decried the shooting as an attack on the criminal justice system.

Sheriff David Byrnes says shooting a prosecutor is "the next level, you are not supposed to attack this level."

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by Another_older_American January 31, 2013 7:32 PM EST: Condolences to the family. "No motive has been released." All this talk about CCPs is getting ridiculous. Obviously if the departed had a deadly weapon, it did not matter. The criminal justice system around the globe is flawed, in favor of prosecutors and other officers of the court. They regularly jail the "innocent" then "get away with it" and laugh all the way to the bank. Apparently, someone had enough and took the law into their own hands. Sheriff Byrnes says... shooting a prosecutor is "the next level, you are not supposed to attack this level." REALLY? Are you that jaded? I'm glad I don't live in your town.; Reply to this comment

by VA_Jill January 31, 2013 1:30 PM EST

Texas, the Gun Kingdom. I would be willing to bet that the victim had a concealed carry permit...most officers of the court in Texas do. It really saved his life!

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by Armed_In_TX January 31, 2013 3:21 PM EST: Really? Way to show sympathy for another senseless killing. This man had a family who are now without him. I bet you also believe that if all guns were banned, those bad men wouldn't have been armed either. 'Cause we all KNOW, criminals will be the first in line to give up their weapons. Right? How about America wakes up and uses a little common sense? A Gun Free Zone is just an open invitation to criminals to "Come On In", feel free to shoot the place up while all us unarmed "VICTIMS" wait 10 - 15 minutes for the police to arrive.