Suspect arrested in nightclub shooting

TYLER — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed the arrest of a suspect in connection with a December shooting at the Valley Blues nightclub that left one person dead, according to our news partners at KETK. The shooting occurred around 2:45 a.m. on Dec. 28 at the Valley Blues Club on County Road 486. When authorities arrived, they found two men with gunshot wounds: Aaron Gordon Johnson Jr., 23, and Aaron Lamar Jackson, 23. Both were taken to local hospitals with critical injuries, and Jackson later died. Authorities believe that the shooting was gang-related, claiming that rival gangs were both at the club, leading to the incident.

According to Smith County PIO Sgt. Larry Christian, Johnson has been arrested for his involvement in the shooting. He was booked into Smith County Jail on Jan. 2 on charges of deadly conduct by discharging a firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence with intent to impair.

Johnson remains in custody, and additional charges may be filed, Christian said.