Alleged burglar fatally shot in Rusk County Christmas Day

RUSK COUNTY — A man was fatally shot after an alleged burglary in Rusk County on Christmas Day. According to our news partner KETK, the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office got a call in around 12:40 a.m. to respond to CR 4174 for a burglary. According to Rusk County Sheriff Johnwayne Valdez, the owner of the home’s future son-in-law came to the house and noticed that one of the homes on the property had a flashlight shining through the windows, so he went to investigate. “He went over there and noticed that the door was open and he walked into the house, and there stands Jason Holland. He had no permission to be on that property,” Valdez said. Valdez said Jason Holland was given verbal commands and he failed to act on those commands, at one point charging at the shooter. He was shot twice and rushed to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

According to Valdez, there had been several prior reports about burglaries in the area, and had identified Holland as a suspect the day before.

Now, Holland’s family is still searching for answers about what happened. “We spoke to investigators whoever the detective is on this, and he’s going to try to paint us a clearer picture of what happened once he has the details,” said Randall Holland II, Jason’s brother. The family is now planning Jason’s funeral, and they mentioned their hopes for the future. “Yeah, I mean we’re going to try to have a great time and remember all the happy times you know,” said Randall.

The owner of the property also asked the community for one thing. “I just want everybody to keep our family and everyone that was involved and Jason’s family in prayers,” said Hambrick.

Once the autopsy and toxicology reports are completed, the case will be sent to the District Attorney’s office and submitted to a grand jury. The grand jury will decide whether or not the shooter will be indicted.

“It’s always a tragic thing. It’s one thing for everybody to say that ‘if someone came into my house to break in, I’d do this or I’d do that’– it’s another thing to actually do it,” Valdez said. “It’s something that they’re going to have to live with for the rest of their lives.”