One dead after officer involved shooting

ANGELINA COUNTY – One man is dead after threatening members of the Angelina County Sheriff’s Office with what was later revealed to be an airsoft gun, according to the sheriff’s office and our news partner KETK.

On Tuesday morning, deputies were patrolling Stubblefield Road off of US Hwy 69, northwest of Lufkin, searching for John Franklin Carter, who had an active felony warrant for assault family violence. The warrant was issued after investigators say Carter had strangled his girlfriend into unconsciousness and also cut another man with a knife who was attempting to get Carter off the victim.

While searching for Carter, deputies recognized his Toyota and immediately began to approach the vehicle. A female driver, along with Carter, then exited the car. According to officials, Carter began acting upset and was holding what appeared to be a black handgun.

Due to his arrest history, Carter was considered dangerous and was on supervised release from federal prison. According to officials, after leaving the car, Carter stated, “he was not going back to prison.”

” Deputies issued multiple commands for Carter to drop the gun and he refused to comply. Confronted with an armed suspect with a lengthy criminal record, the deputy fired his duty pistol, striking Carter,” the Angelina County Sheriff’s Office said.

After he was shot, deputies discovered the gun Carter was holding was an airsoft semi-automatic pistol. Investigators are now looking into the statements Carter was making as they believe that the statements could indicate he had contemplated what is known as “suicide by cop”.

No other injuries were sustained and the Texas Rangers are currently investigating the incident. The deputies involved have been placed on administrative leave.