Smith County Homicide Suspect in Jail

TYLER — Smith County SHeriff Larry Smith says the investigation continues after 40-year-old Larry Cowart of Tyler was jailed in a weekend shooting death. Smith says deputies were initially sent to a location on CR 1145 around 2:20 Saturday morning but initiated a traffic stop in Tyler after learning the victim was being transported in a private vehicle. EMS was called after 43-year-old Heath Bearden was seen unresponsive in the passenger seat, and Smith says Bearden was dead on arrival of EMS. Witnesses said several people were at Cowart’s home when Cowart shot Bearden once in the chest. An autopsy has been ordered, and a bond of $750,000 was recommended for Cowart.