Non-Fatal Police Shooting in Gregg County Justified

LONGVIEW — A Gregg County Grand Jury has found Longview Police Officers’ Use of Deadly Force Justified during the apprehension of a murder suspect last July. The Gregg County Grand Jury absolved Longview Police Officers Doug Brinkley, Armondo Juarezortega, Jonathan Wolf and Kerry Higginbotham in their use of deadly force during the apprehension of Kenneth Earl Thomas Jr. who is a suspect in the murder of Kimberly Wallace. A Texas Rangers investigation into the non-fatal shooting of Thomas was turned over to the Gregg County D.A. who found that Thomas opened fire upon the Officers.

Thomas fled from the Officers and a running gun fight ensued resulting in Thomas being struck in the buttocks area. The Longview Officers took Thomas into custody and applied first aid until EMS arrived. Thomas was treated for the non-life threatening injuries. Thomas is currently in the Gregg County Jail. The Grand Jury unanimously found that Officers Brinkley, Juarezortega, Wolf and Higginbotham were justified in their use of deadly force during this incident. the Grand Jury declined to bring any charges against the Officers and they are cleared of any wrong doing in this case.