Man sought in shooting near Mexia that left Texas state trooper in critical condition

Authorities on Saturday were looking for a man accused of shooting a Texas state trooper the day before near Mexia.

DeArthur Pinson Jr., 36, was being sought in connection with the shooting, which happened near U.S. Highway 84 just west of Mexia in Limestone County, about 80 miles southeast of Dallas, according to the DPS.

The Texas Department of Public Safety Officers Association identified the wounded trooper as Chad Walker, the married father of a 15-year-old son, twin 7-year-old girls and a 2-month-old daughter. He was taken in critical condition to Baylor Scott & White Medical Center Hillcrest in Waco.

Walker was called to FM2848 near U.S. 84 to help a motorist whose vehicle had become disabled, the officers association said.

As Walker started to pull up behind the stopped vehicle, the association said, a man — identified by the DPS as Pinson — got out of the driver’s side and fired multiple times into the patrol unit’s windshield. Walker was struck in the head and the abdomen, the association said.

Pinson grabbed a backpack from the vehicle and fled on foot, the association said.

The DPS described Pinson as Black, 6 feet tall and about 220 pounds. He has black hair, brown eyes and facial hair. He was wearing glasses, a black hoodie and shorts with a stripe down the side.

A Blue Alert issued for Pinson states that he was last seen about 5:50 p.m. Friday on U.S. 84 and FM480 in Coolidge.

Pinson is considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached, the DPS said. The agency urged anyone with information about his whereabouts to call 911 or 254-315-8287.