Man Arrested in April Assault

TYLER — Tyler Police Investigators Wednesday arrested Lewis Bret Hampton, 41, for two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and unlawful carrying a weapon. The charges stem from an incident last month. Hampton was released Wednesday from a local hospital and was immediately taken into custody by detectives. Hampton was transported to the Smith County Jail; bond was set at $325,000.

Police say Hampton was responsible for attacking two victims with a large knife at 7109 Richfield on April 29. On that day at about 1:55 pm, Tyler Police received a 911 call of a man with a gun shooting in the area of Richfield Drive. Once officers arrived at the scene, they found two men on the ground in an alley way behind 7109 Richfield. Officers were told that Hampton had threatened several people with a large knife. One man, who was allegedly threatened by Hampton, reportedly had a handgun in his possession. Police say he confronted Hampton in an effort to protect himself and others.

According to authorities, Hampton continued to use the knife and continued to threaten people, including the man who’d reportedly confronted him. Police say Hampton eventually used the knife to cut the man who’d reportedly confronted him, at which point the cutting victim reportedly shot Hampton. After being shot, Hampton allegedly continued to verbally threaten and attack the cutting victim, who reportedly shot Hampton again. At this point, police say, other people were able to subdue Hampton until Tyler Police arrived.

Hampton was transported to a local hospital where he was treated for two gunshot wounds. The cutting victim was also transported to a local hospital, where he was treated for several knife wounds and released. Investigators were called to the scene as well as the Crime Scene Unit to process the scene. Investigators believe at this point that the cutting victim was acting in self-defense. The investigation continues.