Smith County Sheriff’s Deputies Involved in Shooting

SMITH COUNTY — An investigation is underway into a shooting involving Smith County sheriff’s deputies. Sheriff Larry Smith provides details in a news release. Smith says around 9:10 Wednesday night, deputies were dispatched to do a welfare check on County Road 411 in northwestern Smith County. Upon arrival deputies met with the caller, Paul Kling, who informed them that his son, Cameron Dossey, 25, had been drinking heavily, making suicidal statements, and driving around on the property.

Dossey had reportedly driven his truck up on a hill, gotten stuck, and run towards the woods on the property. Deputies searched the area in an attempt to locate Dossey. They found his vehicle, which was stuck in the mud, but were unable to locate him. Deputies informed Kling that if Dossey came back to call them and they would come back out and check on him.

Around 11:15 p.m., deputies were called back to the same residence on a report that Dossey had returned to the residence and was still drinking and armed with a knife. The deputies saw Dossey and his mother at the northeast end of the residence in the yard. Smith says Dossey was still making suicidal threats and Dossey’s mother, Kelly Mayo, was trying to calm her son down and get him to drop the knife. Smith says Dossey began to push his mother out of the way, took off his shirt, and moved toward the deputies with a knife in hand.

Smith says at this point deputies tried to stop Dossey with a Taser which had little effect on him. Ultimately two shots were fired, one striking Dossey in the upper right abdomen. Dossey was restrained and first aid was administered until EMS could arrive. Dossey was transported to a Tyler hospital and is reported to be in stable condition.

The incident is being investigated by the Texas Rangers with assistance from the Smith County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division. Smith says further details will be released as they become available.