Trial for Suspected Deputy Shooter Begins

TYLER — The trial of a man accused of shooting a Smith County Sheriff’s deputy begins today. Christopher Summerville, 28, has been charged with 6 counts of aggravated assault on a public servant along with 3 other charges.

In March 2011, Smith County Sheriff’s deputies and U.S. Marshals served a warrant on Summerville at The Arbors apartments on Chimney Rock in Tyler for failing to register as a sex offender. When officials attempted to enter the apartment, Summerville allegedly shot Smith County Deputy Josh Caulkins in the chest. Caulkins was saved by his bulletproof vest. After the shooting, Summerville was taken to a local hospital for a meth overdose. Officials believed at the time that Summerville injected himself with the drug just before they arrived at his apartment complex.

At the time of the shooting, Summerville was not charged with the assault, but about a month later, Tyler Police investigators secured the evidence to arrest him for aggravated assault of a peace officer, which is a first degree felony. Summerville was also charged with manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance and engaging in organized criminal activity, both first degree felonies. Two other people, Kara Hanley and Jeffery Andrysiak, who were in the apartment at the time of the shooting, were also charged for engaging in organized criminal activity.