KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Smith County’s financial stability has been recognized when financial institutes Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s gave the county bond ratings of Aa2 and AA+, which are both just a notch below the highest score possible, AAA.

According to an update from Specialized Public Finance, Inc. to the Commissioners Court, the exceptionally high bond rating, along with falling interest rates will make paying off the recently passed jail bond much faster and less expensive than originally anticipated.

A total of $40.875 million in bonds were issued on Tuesday; $35 million from the recently passes jail bond at an interest rate of 2.564% and the refunding of about $5 million in existing county debt at 1.7489% interest. “It’s good to know that we will be able to pay this off even sooner and save money for the citizens of Smith County because of these lower rates and our high bond rating,” County Judge Joel Baker said.

The jail bond component will be structured with a 12 year amortization schedule, which is three years shorter than originally anticipated and the refunding component will save the county approximately $376,000 in total interest expenses. “A county jail with an interest rate of 2.5 is about as low as I have ever seen in this business,” said Financial Analyst Steven Adams.

In addition, S&P revised its Financial Management Assessment to “strong” from “Good” due to the adoption of a formal, long-range capital plan and a formal debt management policy, which is the highest classification.

WINONA – A man has been injured when some bales of hay in a Smith County field caught fire. It was reported around 12:30 Tuesday afternoon off County Road 353 in the northern part of the county. The fire is said to have started when a hired hand began welding on a broken tractor.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama has nominated four U.S. attorneys to serve as lead Justice Department prosecutors in each of the four federal judicial districts in Texas. The president nominated interim U.S. Attorney John Bales of the Eastern District of Texas to a full term in that position. Bales is a former FBI agent who has been a federal prosecutor since 1989 and was head of the Eastern District’s criminal division before his promotion in 2009.

Also nominated are Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson of the Southern District for the district’s top job, Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Ruth Saldana of the Northern District to that district’s top job, and U.S. Magistrate Robert Pitman of the Northern District for the top Western District job.

The nominations are subject to Senate confirmation.

TYLER — Henderson resident Larry Eugene North, 53, has pleaded guilty to possession of an illegal firearm or destructive device, use of a weapon of mass destruction, and obstruction of mail in Judge John Love’s federal courtroom in Tyler. North is set for sentencing in Judge Leonard Davis’s court this afternoon.

North was accused of placing more than 30 explosive devices into mailboxes and at other locations across East Texas. On April 8, 2010, authorities arrested North as he was placing an explosive in a Tyler mailbox.

He had been under surveillance for about a week before his arrest; a pipe bomb was found in the van he was driving and bomb-making materials were discovered in his home, authorities said. He could face 10 years in prison if convicted. Authorities believe North was responsible for planting 36 devices between February 5 and April 7. No injuries or explosions resulted from the devices.

TYLER — Tyler narcotics investigators have arrested Tara Kay McSwain, 37, owner/manager of East Texas Billing and manager of Apple Swim & Fitness Center, on seven counts of fraudulent possession of controlled substance, a 3rd degree felony. On June 16, an employee of Walgreens at 5415 S. Broadway called police and said there was a woman in the drive-thru attempting to pick up a fraudulent prescription for hydrocodone. Patrol officers and vice investigators arrived on the scene and took McSwain into custody after further investigation.

Investigators say they found several pieces of paper with physicians’ and patients’ names on them in McSwain’s purse. Police say the materials were discovered during the search incident to arrest and were believed to be used in a fraudulent manner. Police say because of her billing service for physicians, McSwain had access to doctor and patient information.

After investigators contacted several physicians and former patients, they say they developed probable cause that on six different occasions in 2011, McSwain provided fraudulent information to obtain a controlled substance from pharmacies in Tyler. On June 23, investigators arrested McSwain on six warrants for fraudulent possession of controlled substance. McSwain was booked into Smith County Jail on a total bond of $120,000, set by Judge Randall Rogers. Investigators say they are still looking into further incidents involving McSwain.

NEWTON COUNTY — A Lufkin man dies in an industrial accident in Newton County Sunday. Kyle Helton, 22, was working on a pipeline when a manifold fell on him and crushed him. OSHA was called in to investigate.

TROUP — It’s been a little more than a month since Troup became the second city voted wet in Smith County. KETK reports that the Brookshire’s there is now clearing shelves and making space for its first beer and wine shipments. They’re due to arrive sometime this week — just in time to kick off the Fourth of July weekend. So far, Brookshire’s is the only place in the city that’s applied for a liquor license and has been approved to sell alcohol at its store for off-premise consumption.

GLADEWATER — Investigators are following up on a plane crash that happened yesterday morning. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, a small plane crashed at Gladewater Municipal Airport on U.S. 271 South. One person was injured in the crash. Gregg County Sheriff’s Office deputies were notified at about 7:00 and DPS troopers were dispatched at about 7:45.

According to a Federal Aviation website, the tail numbers on the airplane were registered to a Hallsville man named Ronald Wayne Baker. Good Shepherd Medical Center officials said they had a man listed under that name who was listed in fair condition around 10:00. DPS officials said the man had built the airplane himself and was taking it for its first spin when the plane went down during takeoff. The Longview News-Journal reports the man was 64 years old.

LUFKIN — One man is arrested after an argument with a Lufkin Police Officer. The officer was reportedly responding to a disturbance complaint around 7:45 Saturday night on the 500 block of Homer Street. Gustavo Rodriguez, 33, allegedly started moving toward the officer in an aggressive manner when she used pepper spray to slow him down. He was arrested for assault on a public servant, a second degree felony.

MOUNT PLEASANT – Mount Pleasant detectives are investigating a homicide but do say they have a person of interest in the case. Saturday, they body of Kathleen McNally, 42, was found lying on the floor of a residence in the 400 block of Crooks Drive. An autopsy performed in Dallas Sunday indicated the death was a homicide.

Officers learned of a man seen leaving the area and traced him to the 1300 block of North Edwards. The 48 year old man was taken into custody on an outstanding warrant from Camp County for criminal nonsupport/child support. At last report he had not been charged in McNally’s death. The investigation is continuing.

TYLER – The teenage girl accused of starting the June 15th fire at a Tyler Dollar General Store has been sent to a San Antonio psychiatric facility. The order came Monday from Judge Floyd Getz. The judge said there were concerns that the 14 year old Kaufman County girl might not get her required medication if she was to remain at the Smith County Juvenile Attention Center. The store, which suffered minor damage, has reopened.

TYLER — Lane closures will be in effect on Loop 323 between Shaw Street and Walton Road from 8:00am till 8:00pm today and possibly tomorrow. The lane closures will be in effect on both northbound and southbound sides of the street. Drivers can expect delays and are encouraged to seek alternate routes. Drivers are reminded to drive safely and use caution while workers are present.

BEAUMONT – A 44-year-old Lufkin man has been sentenced to life in federal prison for his role in a double homicide that took place in Nacogdoches in August 2007. Carl Carver pleaded guilty in January to committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering activity. He was sentenced in Beaumont Monday by U.S. District Judge Marcia Crone. Specifically, Carver admitted that he had participated by directing two Aryan Brotherhood of Texas subordinates to murder David Mitchamore.

According to federal prosecutors, Carver was a general of the ABT, a race-based statewide organization that operates inside and outside of state and federal prisons throughout Texas and the United States. Authorities say the hierarchical ABT enforces its rules and promotes discipline among its members, prospects and associates through murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to murder, assault, robbery and threats against those who violate the rules or pose a threat to the enterprise. Members, and often associates, are required to follow the orders of higher-ranking members, such as Carver, without question.

According to court documents, ABT member David Mitchamore and his girlfriend, Christie Rochelle Brown, were murdered by Brent Stalsby and Charles Cameron Frazier as a result of a “direct order” issued by Carver due to Mitchamore’s failure to repay an outstanding debt he allegedly owed to Carver. The bodies of Mitchamore and Brown were discovered in Nacogdoches County on August 10, 2007. Last month, Brent Stalsby was sentenced to life in federal prison, and his wife, Terry Stalsby, who aided and abetted the double murder, was sentenced to 162 months in federal prison. Last week, Frazier was also sentenced to life in prison.

LUFKIN — A Lufkin couple has been indicted on a charge of child endangerment after their second infant in two years died while sleeping in their bed against Child Protective Services instruction. That’s according to KETK and the Lufkin Daily News. Mark and Vanessa Clark, both 32, were formally charged by a grand jury last Thursday in their infant boy’s July 9, 2010, death, according to District Attorney Clyde Herrington. As for the grand jury’s decision to indict the couple, Herrington said it is a peculiar case as the couple lost another baby in a similar sleeping incident 14 months earlier.

“There was a previous investigation with another child by Child Protective Services. The first infant’s death was ruled (sudden infant death syndrome),” Herrington said. “In the (new) case, the child was about 3 or 4 months old and sleeping in the bed with the parents. They woke up and found him not breathing.” Following the first infant’s death, the couple was given a course by Child Protective Services in safe sleeping practices, according to CPS spokeswoman Shari Pulliam. That information strictly states sleeping with an infant puts the child at risk for suffocation, Pulliam said. Herrington went on to say that the infant’s death is neither a negligent homicide nor a murder, but the grand jury felt the parents put the child in danger by sleeping with him.

LONGVIEW — Longview police are following up in the wake of a fatal accident. Late last Friday afternoon, officers responded to an accident with injuries in the 2400 block of South High Street. A silver Cadillac pulled out from a private drive in front of a silver Dodge pickup that was northbound on High Street. The Cadillac was struck in the area of the driver’s side door, killing the 79-year-old Hispanic male driver. The identity of the victim is known, but police have not been able to locate family members. Anyone with possible information is asked to call the Longview Police Department at 903-237-1170.

JACKSONVILLE — Four persons have been killed in a two vehicle accident on U.S. Highway 79 at County Road 3209 south of Jacksonville. The Department of Public Safety says the wreck occurred shortly after 2:15 Sunday afternoon when a car driven by Kashundra Rogers, 34, of Jacksonville, veered into oncoming traffic and hit a pickup driven by Kelly Jones, 35, of Rusk. Killed were Rogers, as well as two children in Roger’s car, Kaleigh Hinton, 12, of Jacksonville, and Ronjenne Williams, 12, of Tyler. The fourth victim, Leighann Montgomery, 24, of Woodstock, Alabama, was a passenger in Jones’ pickup.

DPS officials said Jones was listed in serious condition after being transported to East Texas Medical Center in Tyler for a broken femur and pelvis. The three other passengers, a 14-year-old was listed in critical condition at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas; a seven-year-old boy was listed in serious condition at Children’s Medical Center in Dallas; and a two-year-old girl was listed in critical condition at Children’s Medical Center in Dallas.

LONGVIEW — Longview Fire Department officials are investigating the cause of a Saturday afternoon fire that burned down a home. Fire Marshal Johnny Zackary said firefighters were dispatched to a house in the 800 block of Butler Drive about 4:30. Zackary said the home was unoccupied and had no utilities because it was being remodeled. He did say the fire looked as though it was intentionally set.

LONGVIEW — A Longview couple accused of endangering their 14-month-old child is indicted. Misty Ann Beasley, 27, and Jason Wayne Beasley, 34, were arrested May 16 after the father told a neighbor he believed someone had killed his child’s mother. Police said Jason Beasley was hallucinating and had chased imaginary people with a knife and pistol, discharging the firearm in public. The couple told police that they had taken meth in the past few days, but no one else was there to care for the 14-month-old child, who was in a crib in a separate room.

TYLER – Funeral services were held Monday morning at Green Acres Baptist Church for former Tyler Mayor Bob Layton, with burial following at Tyler Memorial Park. Layton, who was 86, died Friday after a brief battle with cancer.

Layton served as a member of the Tyler City Council from 1974-1976. He was elected mayor of Tyler and served from 1975-1976. According to the Stewart Family Funeral Home obituary, he was a member of the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce, where he was past vice president and served on and chaired several committees. He was a member and past president of the Tyler Rotary Club and district governor of the Rotary International in 1975-76. Mr. Layton served on the Board of Directors for the East Texas Hospital Foundation, the East Texas Medical Center Hospital, Leadership of Tyler, Mother Frances Hospital, and Good Will Industries of East Texas. He was past chairman of the Airport Advisory Committee, the Appeals Board for Building Codes, and the Airport Advisory Technical Committee for the City of Tyler. He was Chairman Emeritus of the Historic Aviation Memorial Museum at Tyler Pounds Regional Airport.

Layton was initially employed by Layton Supply Company until 1950, when he founded the Layton Engineering Company, which he owned for over 40 years. In February 1987, he was appointed by President Ronald Reagan and later re-appointed by President George Bush, Sr. and began working as Regional Administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 6 in Dallas, where he was responsible for directing federal environmental programs in five states. He rose to SES Level 6, the highest senior executive service level. He was appointed to direct a pilot program in Environmental Education at UT-Tyler in 1992-1993. He later became an environmental consultant on many environmental issues.

COOKVILLE – Three persons have been killed and one injured in a weekend accident in Titus County. The wreck occurred Saturday when a car hit the rear of a parked 18 wheeler on Interstate Highway 30 at the 174 mile marker near Cookville. Dead at the scene was Leah Eason., 30, of Rockwall. Her husband James Eason, 30, and their one year old son Luke, later died at Titus Regional Medical Center in Mt. Pleasant. Another son, Jace Eason, 3, is listed in stable condition at Children’s Hospital in Dallas.

TYLER — Here’s a quick look at events and work planned in the Tyler District:

GREGG COUNTY — This week, TxDOT maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform base and pavement repairs in various locations on State Highway 300 (Glimer Road) between Hawkins Parkway and Farm Road 1844, including work in the State Highway 300/Hawkins Parkway intersection on Monday and Tuesday. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible to avoid the work in the Hawkins Parkway intersection.

HENDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue base and pavement repairs in various locations on Ranch Road 2970 between Farm Road 753 and the end of state maintenance, followed by the same work on Ranch Road 2588 between U.S. Highway 175 in LaRue and the end of state maintenance. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

Also in Henderson County, TxDOT contractor Big Creek Construction, Ltd., of Hewitt, on Monday is scheduled to begin initial base-repair work on the $3.9 million project to repair and resurface State Highway 31 between Farm Road 314 in Brownsboro and the east end of Farm Road 3204 east of Brownsboro.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Beginning Tuesday, Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform pavement repairs at the intersection of State Highway 243 and State Highway 198 in Canton. The work is being redone at the cost of the material provider since the material was faulty. Once the work on SH 243 is completed, crews are scheduled to perform the same type of work on State Highway 19 in Canton between State Highway 64 and Interstate Highway 20.

Also this week, a second crew is scheduled to perform base and pavement repairs on Farm Road 314 between Interstate Highway 20 south in Van and Farm Road 1995. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes to avoid delays.

SMITH COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue work to install right-turn lanes on Farm Road 2661 at its intersection with State Highway 31 near Chandler. A second crew will also be performing edge repairs on Farm Road 2661 between State Highway 31 and Big Eddy Road. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

Looking ahead, TxDOT contractor Reynolds & Kay, Ltd. of Tyler, is scheduled to begin nighttime resurfacing work on Tyler’s WSW Loop 323 between State Highway 155 and New Copeland Road as early as Tuesday, July 5. Crews have been making repairs to storm-drain inlets and access areas in the past few weeks in preparation for the work. Once the night work begins, crews will be closing lanes between 8 p.m.-5 a.m. each night except for Fridays and Saturdays. The work is scheduled to take approximately two months to complete.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform base and pavement repairs on U.S. Highway 84 between Reklaw and the Rusk County Line. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

Also in Cherokee County, beginning Tuesday, July 5, TxDOT contractor TNT’s Pipeline, Corp., of Southlake, is scheduled to begin nighttime resurfacing work on U.S. Highway 69 in Jacksonville between U.S. Highway 79 and South Loop 456. Crews will be at work and lane closures will be in place between 7:00pm and 5:00am each night except Friday and Saturday while the project is in operation.

ANDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform pavement repairs on Farm Road 1990 between State Highway 294 and U.S. Highway 79 in Palestine. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

WOOD COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue pavement repairs in various locations on Farm Road 69 north of Farm Road 515 in Coke. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

Also in Wood County, beginning Tuesday, July 5, the Union Pacific Railroad is scheduled to replace ties on its overpass on U.S. Highway 80 near Fruitvale. The work will be conducted over the next two months with various daytime lane closures possible while the work is in progress. Motorists are encouraged to be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zone.

RUSK COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue resurfacing operations on Farm Road 1798 between Farm Road 839 in McKnight and Farm Road 1662 near Laneville. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

TYLER — The Texas Agrilife Extension Service joins the chorus of voices strongly discouraging outdoor burning during the current drought — even if your county’s not under a burn ban. Sarah Bolt of the Tyler extension office says conditions remain very dry, with no relief on the way in the near future. Bolt discussed the issue on KTBB “Staff Meeting” — adding some important notes about watering. Bolt said you should be putting about an inch of water a week on your lawn — and don’t fertilize it, because that makes it require more water. On the other hand, says Bolt, gardens need to be fertilized and heavily watered so they’ll keep producing. You can go to http://www.ktbb.com/audio to hear the “Staff Meeting” show in its entirety beginning early Monday morning. Log on to http://smith.agrilife.org to learn more about the extension service and its programs.

TYLER — Tyler police investigate a report of a Saturday night robbery. Police responded around 11:20 at the Southside Motor Bank on South Broadway. A 28-year-old woman reported that she had just been robbed by the bank’s ATM. The victim said she had pulled up to the machine in her vehicle when an unknown black male entered her vehicle and demanded that she withdraw money from her bank account. The robber reportedly pulled the victim’s hair and held an unknown object to the back of her head.

The victim said she withdrew money from the ATM, and that the money was taken by the robber. The robber then reportedly directed the victim to drive out of the bank parking lot and to an apartment complex at 5621 Old Bullard Road. The victim said the robber exited her vehicle and fled the area on foot in an unknown direction. The victim told police she then drove away from the apartment complex and called 911. Police searched the area but were unable to locate the suspect. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1000 or Crime Stoppers at 903-597-2833.

GILMER — One person is dead in a weekend Upshur County accident involving a motorcycle and a large cow. Officials say it happened shortly after 9:30 Friday evening on State Highway 154, four miles west of Gilmer. The DPS report says the motorcycle, driven by Rafeal Gunter, 20, of Gilmer, was eastbound when it struck the cow in the roadway. Gunter was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities say it’s unknown whether Gunter was wearing a helmet.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County fire officials are continuing to investigate a mobile home fire on CR 1104 in the Noonday area around 8:30 Friday morning. Officials say the home was completely destroyed. According to KETK, no one was home at the time of the blaze. Some nearby trees also caught fire. Officials say CR 1104 was shut down due to the threat of a propane tank exploding.

The fire marshal says there was a family argument at the home at 2 a.m. and the home owner, Daniel Hippe, asked everyone to leave. Officials say they don’t know what started the argument, but that it’s a linchpin to the investigation. However, investigators said they don’t believe the probe will lead to an arrest. The exact cause of the fire is still being sought.

LONGVIEW — The Longview Economic Development Corporation (LEDCO) has announced that American HomePatient, Inc., one of the nation’s largest home health care providers, will expand its patient support center operations into Longview this summer. The firm will occupy an existing building at 2920 Tuttle Boulevard and will employ over 200 when fully operational.

American HomePatient is a national respiratory provider with locations in 35 states. The company is based in Brentwood, Tennessee, and owned by funds managed by Highland Capital Management, L.P. (Highland), a Dallas-based, SEC-registered investment adviser with approximately $23 billion of assets under management. The focus of American HomePatient is respiratory services, delivering sleep therapy, aerosolized medications and oxygen to patients across the country. From the Longview facility, the firm will provide telephonic support for its customer patients to monitor their therapy.

“The economic impact to the Longview area will be significant,” said Steve Metcalf, President of the LEDCO Board of Directors. “American HomePatient will invest in new equipment and facilities in the City of Longview, Gregg County and the Longview Independent School District. The total payroll, benefits, capital investment and taxes paid will reach $80 million over the next ten years.” Patrick Daugherty, Head of Private Equity at Highland, stated: “American HomePatient’s investment in Longview is an important component of the company’s growth strategy and demonstrates Highland’s commitment to American HomePatient.”

A LEDCO news release says LEDCO — aided by city officials and staff, local community colleges and universities, and existing businesses — worked for several months to attract the company to the area. Officials say the company will invest over $300,000 in building improvements and hire approximately 70 people this year. “LEDCO really worked hard to understand our city selection evaluation process and adapted quickly to our needs, making our company feel like we could add value to the community,” said Chris Johnson, American HomePatient Vice President.

In April, the LEDCO Board of Directors unanimously approved a seven year $1.1 million performance grant as an incentive for American HomePatient to expand and grow in Longview. “We are very proud and thankful to our board of directors for their forward-thinking, aggressive approach to this incentive package,” said Susan Mazarakes-Gill, LEDCO’s Executive Director. “This package sets higher, more competitive standards for the economic development industry in the U.S. and proves Longview can compete and win high-wage, sustainable jobs for the region.”

TYLER — A pedestrian suffered serious injuries after being struck by a vehicle. Tyler Police say it happened Friday morning around 10:00 in the 2600 block of South Broadway when a vehicle had pulled out of the U.S. Postal Service driveway heading north and struck a 63-year-old pedestrian as he was crossing the road. Authorities say Larry Taylor, Tyler, was taken to Trinity Mother Frances Hospital by EMS. The driver of the vehicle was interviewed by police at the scene and was released. Taylor was found at fault for failing to yield the right of way.

WINNSBORO — A Winnsboro teen has died in a one-vehicle wreck around 11:45 Thursday night. Hopkins County Department of Public Safety Officials say Autumn Dale Romine, 16, was headed east on Highway 11 near County Road 2401 when her vehicle left the north side of the roadway, hit a tree and caught on fire. She was pronounced dead at the scene. The DPS report said she had been wearing her seat belt but failed to control the car’s speed.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man was arrested Wednesday after a child told police she was sexually assaulted. Leelliot Deniro Johnson, 31, was arrested around 6:00 in the 300 block of West Cotton Street. Johnson is charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child younger than 14 years old. His bond was set at $100,000. On May 20th, the victim reportedly told police in a forensic interview at the Children’s Advocacy Center that she was sexually assaulted by Johnson on May 7th.

ANGELINA COUNTY — A Lufkin man facing a murder charge in connection with a 2010 drive-by shooting accepted a plea deal Thursday for six years in prison. Elton “June” Gibson, 20, pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of conspiracy to commit aggravated assault in connection with the January 2010 shooting death of Joseph Cooper, 63. In addition to the six-year sentence, Gibson received five years for violating terms of his probation, stemming from a failure to stop and render aid charge in 2009.

Gibson was the last of three to face charges in Cooper’s death. His then girlfriend and co-defendant Kendall Thompson, 20, walked last month on a murder charge, while Johnx Greer, 20, was sentenced to 20 years in prison last week in a plea agreement for aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury.

Gibson was offered the deal in exchange for agreeing to testify against Thompson and Greer about the night Greer reportedly shot and killed Cooper.