breaking news
An East Texas shooting left two people dead and an officer in the hospital undergoing emergency surgery. The tragic event happened on Pine Springs Street just northeast of downtown Tyler.
Just before 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Smith County Sheriff`s deputies Dale Geddie and Daniel Leon were called to a domestic disturbance on Pine Springs Road.
"The original call was a disturbance at the residence," said Officer Don Martin from the Tyler Police Department.
Joseph Earl Walsh, 53, shot both deputies, killing Geddie. Walsh then threatened to shot anyone else who came near his house.
At around 1:30, gunshots were heard, and an ETMC ambulance pulled away afterward.
Martin said that Walsh came out of his house in what he called "a threatening manner."
"He was armed at that time. The Tyler SWAT officers shot the suspect," Martin said.
Walsh died at the hospital.
"Of course, at any time you want to have a peaceful resolution. Unfortunately, that is not always what will happen. His actions then dictated what the outcome was going to be," said Jeanne Dark, a trooper with the Department of Public Safety.
The family of Joseph Walsh was visibly upset when they arrived.
"I didn`t know this would happen. I don`t know why it happened," said Walshs stepson, Shawn Walker.
Walker told KETK 56 News that his stepfather had mental problems, and he had two hunting rifles and a shotgun inside his house.
Walshs stepdaughter, Wendy Urbina, offered condolences for the deputies families.
"I wanted to tell them I`m sorry. Deeply sorry," Urbina said.
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