CHS_CG
06-29-2006, 12:54 PM
Burleson County officials are investigating a police shooting that left a former Texas lottery winner dead. Thomas Strong from the Burleson County community of Harmony won $3 million in the lottery 13 years ago. But this morning he was on the wrong side of the law.
Police aren't saying why Thomas Strong, a long time Burleson County resident and $3 million lottery winner changed his luck Wednesday morning.
"A neighbor had called about a disturbance about someone with a gun on neighboring property," Burleson County Sheriff Dale Stroud said.
Stroud says Strong was shooting guns in his front yard. When law enforcement arrived he started shooting at them, then took off in his pick-up truck.
The chase moved across Highway 36 then after a shoot-out between officers and Strong the situation ended in tragedy next to Harmony Baptist Church.
"The subject involved in the shootout is deceased. None of the officers were injured although at least 1 vehicle has taken rounds, there were a lot of rounds discharged by both parties, by officers and the suspect," Stroud said.
Police searched the area near Strong's house for shell casings, while a Department of Public Safety helicopter scanned the area.
Folks in nearby Caldwell wondered why a man with so much, would turn on police.
"I did know him and his wife and he seemed like a nice fellow," Burleson County resident Jimmy Kovar said.
Strong was related to a few officers involved in the shootout, and Sheriff Stroud knew him for 30 years.
"This is unfortunate this is what you hope never happens but unfortunately sometimes we have no alternative and that's what probably happened here today," Sheriff Stroud said.
Authorities will continue looking for answers to why this one-time millionaire turned his gun on the law.
Strong's family members declined to comment on the situation.
This is the second shooting in Burleson County in the last few months.
In May, Wayne Hefti was shot in Caldwell after pointing a rifle at officers.
Hefti only sustained minor injuries and faces charges for attempted capital murder of a peace officer.
Police aren't saying why Thomas Strong, a long time Burleson County resident and $3 million lottery winner changed his luck Wednesday morning.
"A neighbor had called about a disturbance about someone with a gun on neighboring property," Burleson County Sheriff Dale Stroud said.
Stroud says Strong was shooting guns in his front yard. When law enforcement arrived he started shooting at them, then took off in his pick-up truck.
The chase moved across Highway 36 then after a shoot-out between officers and Strong the situation ended in tragedy next to Harmony Baptist Church.
"The subject involved in the shootout is deceased. None of the officers were injured although at least 1 vehicle has taken rounds, there were a lot of rounds discharged by both parties, by officers and the suspect," Stroud said.
Police searched the area near Strong's house for shell casings, while a Department of Public Safety helicopter scanned the area.
Folks in nearby Caldwell wondered why a man with so much, would turn on police.
"I did know him and his wife and he seemed like a nice fellow," Burleson County resident Jimmy Kovar said.
Strong was related to a few officers involved in the shootout, and Sheriff Stroud knew him for 30 years.
"This is unfortunate this is what you hope never happens but unfortunately sometimes we have no alternative and that's what probably happened here today," Sheriff Stroud said.
Authorities will continue looking for answers to why this one-time millionaire turned his gun on the law.
Strong's family members declined to comment on the situation.
This is the second shooting in Burleson County in the last few months.
In May, Wayne Hefti was shot in Caldwell after pointing a rifle at officers.
Hefti only sustained minor injuries and faces charges for attempted capital murder of a peace officer.