Authorities: Woman Kills Man while Defending Home

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Authorities say a Van Zandt County woman shot and killed a man in the act of defending her home. Around 4:30 yesterday morning, the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from a homeowner on Texas State Highway 19 north of Canton, in rural Van Zandt County. According to officials, the caller advised that she had just shot a man who was attempting to force entry into her home.

Sheriff’s deputies arrived a short time later and identified the deceased suspect as Christopher Ray Foster, 37, of Edgewood. Foster (pictured), who had a lengthy criminal history, was recently released on a personal recognizance bond from the Van Zandt County Jail for failure to comply with registration requirements as a sex offender, according to authorities. Investigators with the sheriff’s office determined that Foster was in the process of forcing entry into a side door of the home when the homeowner fatally shot him.

Sheriff Michael Lindsey Ray stated, “Presently, as the result of underfunding and inadequate staffing at the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office, homeowners need to take appropriate precautions to protect their families. I will continue to support the law abiding citizens of our community when they are forced to take actions to protect their lives, liberty and property.” The Texas Rangers were contacted by the sheriff’s office and requested to assist with the investigation. No arrests were made and as a standard procedure, the case will be forwarded to the Van Zandt County DA’s office for grand jury referral according to a news release from the sheriff’s office.