This holiday season was punctuated with a litany of tragedies throughout Southeast Texas, including a pair of homicides in Beaumont.
Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, the Beaumont Police Department (BPD) reported Tiffany Guidry, 40, was stabbed to death at a residence in the 4900 block of Mallet Street. Officers responded to a disturbance about 3 p.m. and found Guidry suffering from multiple stab wounds.
The suspect, Alfred Washington, 36, was transported to a local hospital in critical condition, also injured by a stab wound, the police department reported.
By Dec. 27, detectives obtained a murder warrant for Washington, who was still hospitalized as of press time. BPD advised that Washington will be transported to jail upon release from the hospital and charged with the family violence homicide.
Dec. 29, BPD reported Fandashia Guillory, 19, died at a local hospital after officers responded to a shooting in the 4300 block of Fonville Avenue at around 7 p.m. After an investigation, police arrested Ava Musgrove, 19, for murder. BPD reported the incident was a dating violence homicide.
Officer-involved shooting
DPS and the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) are investigating an officer-involved shooting that took place Dec. 28 at a residence off FM 82 in Kirbyville, according to DPS.
The preliminary investigation indicates that, at 6:08 p.m., JCSO received a 911 call in reference to a domestic disturbance involving a suspect with gun. JCSO, Kirbyville Police Department and a DPS trooper responded and reportedly observed the suspect and a 14-year-old juvenile in a physical altercation with a gun outside of the residence.
Officers gave orders to disengage and to drop the weapon and, once the juvenile disengaged, the suspect pointed the weapon at the officers and the officers shot the suspect, according to information from the investigative agency.
The suspect, identified as Charles McCauley, 36, was pronounced dead at the scene by Pct. 3 Justice of the Peace Mike Smith. Smith also ordered an autopsy. Following the shooting, as standard procedure, the involved state trooper was placed on administrative leave.
Bicyclist killed in Orange Co.
A male bicyclist died Dec. 29 after being struck by a vehicle on FM 1131, northwest of Vidor around 9 p.m.
Justice of the Peace Rodney Price pronounced the man dead at the scene and ordered an autopsy. The vehicle’s driver reportedly stopped after the collision to render aid. The victim was identified as Israel Brumley, 44, of Beaumont.
Two struck on PA highway
The Port Arthur Police Department (PAPD) is searching for the vehicle and driver involved in an incident that injured two people Dec. 28.
Police reported two people and a bicycle were struck by a vehicle that fled the scene in the 5300 block of Gulfway Drive.
One victim was transported to The Medical Center of Southeast Texas and the other was taken to St. Elizabeth Hospital. The investigation was ongoing as of press time.
Jasper Co. deputy killed in crash
Jasper County Sheriff Mitchel Newman reported a deputy was killed Dec. 27 in a two-vehicle crash south of Huntington, in Angelina County.
According to Newman, at 9 a.m., Jasper County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Lesley Wade, 24, of Zavalla, died from injuries sustained in the accident.
“Her absence will be felt by all, and we will continue to surround her family with love and prayers as we navigate this tragedy. Deputy Wade served the citizens of Jasper County well, and we will be forever grateful for her service,” Newman stated.
According to information from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), Wade was driving a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee headed south on U.S. 69, near the intersection of FM 1818, when a 2014 Mack tractortrailer truck pulled onto the highway from FM 1818. DPS reported the trailer was stretched across both southbound lanes of U.S. 69 to yield to oncoming northbound traffic, when the Jeep struck the back portion of the trailer.
Wade and two children, a boy and girl, both age 6, were transported by ambulance to St. Luke’s Hospital in Lufkin where Wade was pronounced dead a short time after arrival. The children were treated for nonlife-threatening injuries.
The driver of the 18-wheeler, Juan Juarez, 64, of Nacogdoches, was not injured in the crash. The DPS report stated the accident was during a time of very heavy fog and poor visibility.
Wade is survived by her husband, Jasper County Deputy Chris Wade, and their two children. Funeral services are being handled by Carroway Funeral Home of Lufkin. No date has been set as of press time.