A Woodville Police Officer was shot in the face and the man who is alleged to have shot him is dead. It happened at about shortly after 7:00 Sunday morning. Woodville Police Chief Michael J. McCulley said the series of events began with a call reporting a disturbance on Shivers Drive, and Officer Troy Costello responded. Chief McCulley said when Costello arrived, the suspect, Reginal Owens, 41, of Hemphill, drove away in a pickup truck resulted in a pursuit. McCulley said the chase finally ended at the intersection of Pecan and Cardinal Streets. When Costello approached the driver side of the vehicle, McCulley said Owens shot the officer in the face. According to McCulley, about an hour later Tyler County deputies saw Owens walk out of a wooded area off of Shivers drive with a gun in his waistband. McCulley said deputies gave multiple commands to Owens to stop and lay down which he ignored. McCulley also said Owens was noncompliant and hostile towards the officers and made a move for the gun. At that moment, McCulley said multiple officers opened fire on Owens, shooting and killing him and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Meanwhile, Officer Costello was flown by medical helicopter to a Houston hospital, where he underwent surgery and is reported to be in stable condition. Chief McCulley said the Texas Rangers have been brought in to investigate both shootings.
The following statement was issued by Woodville Police Chief Michael J. McCulley:
On September 17, 2023, at approximately 7:15 am, a Call for Service was made to the Tyler County Sheriff’s Department, requesting an Officer respond to the 200 blk of Shivers Dr. in reference to a suspicious male subject causing a disturbance. Officer Troy Costello responded to the location. The male subject was observed in a white colored pick up truck on Shivers Dr. Officer Costello attempted to make contact with the male subject. The driver ignored the Officer’s verbal commands to stop and continued driving away. Officer Costello pursued the suspect vehicle down Shivers onto MLK Dr for several blocks. Officer Costello radioed for assistance while pursuing the suspect’s vehicle. Officer Costello continued pursuing the vehicle down MLK Dr. onto South Pecan St. Officer Costello attempted to stop the suspect vehicle again by blocking him into a private driveway. The suspect vehicle continued evading the Officer by driving in reverse down South Pecan St., finally stopping near the intersection of Pecan St. and Cardinal Dr. Officer Costello approached the driver’s side of the vehicle and was shot by the suspect. After shooting the Officer, the suspect left the scene in the vehicle. The suspect vehicle was later spotted back near the 200 blk of Shivers Dr. Deputies with Tyler County Sheriff’s Department arrived to assist. Witnesses observed the male suspect flee the scene into a wooded area south of Shivers Dr. Several Deputies along with Woodville PD Officers set up a search perimeter in the area. At approximately 8:24 am, Deputies observed the male suspect exit the wooded area. The suspect was observed with a handgun in his waistband. Deputies gave the suspect numerous commands to stop and laydown with arms extended. Suspect continued to ignore the Deputies repeated commands. The suspect was noncompliant and hostile towards the officers and made an aggressive movement toward the handgun that was in his waistband. The suspect was fired upon by multiple officers. The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene and Justice of Peace Precinct 1, Tina Self , ordered an autopsy. The suspect has been identified as Reginal Owens, 41, of Hemphill, TX. The Texas Rangers are leading the investigation of both shootings. Officer Costello was air lifted to a hospital in Houston for treatment and was last reported to be in stable condition undergoing surgery. Officer Costello has been with the Woodville Police Department for almost 5 years and previously worked for the Tyler County Sheriff’s Department. Our Department asks the public to keep Officer Costello and his family in your prayers. Chief Michael J. McCulley Woodville Police Department