Larry Fowler

Parker County Sheriff

PRESS RELEASE

Sheriff’s investigators investigate home invasion

Sheriff’s investigators are seeking the public’s help with identifying and locating two suspects believed to have robbed and pistol-whipped a disabled man late Monday evening in the master bedroom of his home.

Parker County Sheriff Larry Fowler said the victim told deputies he was in bed at the rear of the home located in West 40 Estates in Azle around 10:30 p.m. when two men entered the home with weapons and beat him repeatedly with a pistol in the back of the skull, demanding cash.

Investigators said the men fled the scene after shooting and killing the wheelchair-bound victim’s 12-year-old German shepherd assistance canine "Major" with a .380 handgun and a .410 shotgun. The victims told deputies Major attacked one of the suspects when they entered the residence and was shot while protecting them.

A family member heard the shots and ran to help, when she found the men fleeing with an undisclosed amount of U.S. currency.

Sheriff’s Lt. Mark Arnett said the woman pursued the men and lost sight of them about five minutes later near Silver Creek Elementary School, when they fired several shots at her vehicle, striking it on the driver’s side. The female retreated for her own safety and was uninjured.

"Major was shot twice - once in the head between the eyes and a second time in the shoulders," he said.

The suspects are described as last seen wearing coveralls and pull-over masks. Fowler said the first suspect is described as 6’2" or 6’3" tall. The second suspect is described as approximately 5’9" tall – both with medium builds. The vehicle the men fled in is described as a blue, early 2000 model, Chevrolet pickup truck with what appeared to be white magnetic signs.

The victim’s family, saddened at the loss of Major, said the victim was not hospitalized but received seven staples from injuries he sustained during the crime.

The suspects are wanted by sheriffs’ investigators for committing a first-degree felony of aggravated robbery. Anyone with information about the crime is encouraged to call the sheriff’s office immediately at (817) 594- 8845.