*Victim's name released. Deputy and first responder credited with keeping victim alive until paramedics arrived.
Newton County Sheriff Billy Rowles says one person was shot and two people were taken into custody following a late Monday morning disturbance. Deputies responded to 9931 U.S. Highway 87 just north of Bleakwood shortly before 12:00 noon when a disturbance with shots fired was reported.
Rowles said 32-year-old Branndon Stark had a gunshot wound to his thigh with massive bleeding, and it’s believed that the bullet possibly struck his femoral artery. He was flown from the scene by Air Rescue to Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont and was reported to be in extremely critical condition, and as of late Monday afternoon he was undergoing emergency surgery.
According to Rowles, deputies found a large amount of methamphetamine inside the house, and they arrested a 32-year-old man and a 36-year-old woman. Their names have not yet been released pending formal charges and arraignment, which is expected to occur on Tuesday morning.
Meanwhile, Rowles said that Lieutenant Barry Laird and Firefighter Howard West with Trout Creek First Responders are being credited with keeping the man alive until paramedics arrived.
Rowles said Laird was the first on the scene and he shoved his thumb into the bullet wound to stop the bleeding. Rowles said “I’ve never seen so much blood, and yet the victim was still alive. He was only taking a few breaths per minute, but he was alive and I think Lieutenant Laird played a major role in that”.
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