LIBERTY COUNTY, Texas — Liberty County deputies are investigating after an argument over a truck involving three men ended with the death of one them.
The shooting took place on Sunday, May 1 shortly before midnight. A Liberty County Sheriff's Office investigator responded to Country Road 126 in South Liberty County.
Investigators believe the shooting stemmed from an argument between Christopher Aaron Jorgensen and Alvin Ray Zachary. Zachary is a “close friend” of Edward Thomas Baty.
Baty is accused of shooting and killing Jorgensen, according to a Liberty County Sheriff’s office release.
Police said three houses sit on one piece of property where the shooting took place. Baty and Zachary lived in one of those houses, and Jorgensen lived in another.
At some point, Jorgensen and Zachary began arguing when Jorgenson said that Baty and Zachary damaged his pick-up truck. It is unclear where the three men were when the argument started.
During the argument, Baty ran into his house with Jorgenson chasing after him.
Baty got into his bedroom, locked the door and got a 12-gauge shotgun, according to the release. Jorgensen was “allegedly” trying to break the door down but stopped after a short time.
Baty thought Jorgensen had left and opened the door. When he opened it, he saw Jorgensen was still there and coming after him.
Baty shot at Jorgensen twice, according to the release. At the time, Baty did not know if any of the shots hit Jorgensen because Jorgensen ran outside into the yard.
Baty told police he went to the front door and saw Jorgensen coming after him once again. Baty fired a third shot that killed Jorgensen, according to the release.
At this time, no charges have been filed.
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
GET NEWS & WEATHER ALERTS | Download the 12News App to your mobile device
CRIME STOPPERS | Submit a tip @ 833Tips.com
CRIME STOPPERS APP | Download the P3 Tips App
From a LSCO release:
At approximately 11:40pm Sunday night, May 1st. Liberty County Sheriff’s Lead Investigator Linda Worley investigated the shooting death of Christopher Aaron Jorgensen, DOB 12/15/89 by Edwin Thomas Baty DOB 9/1/67 on CR 126 in South Liberty County. According to Investigator Worley, this shooting was a result of an earlier alleged confrontation between Jorgensen and a close friend of Baty’s, Alvin Ray Zachary, DOB 12/14/70.
From details learned during the investigation, it appears there are three houses that sits on this one piece of property with Edwin Baty and Alvin Zachary living in one house and Christopher Jorgensen living in another. At some point during the evening, an argument developed with Jorgensen accusing Baty and Zachary of damaging his pick-up truck. During this alleged confrontation between Zachary and Jorgensen, Baty ran into his house with Jorgensen behind him and with Baty locking his bedroom door and securing his 12 gauge shotgun. Jorgensen is alleged to have kept trying to break the door down but the effort stopped after a short while. Thinking that Jorgensen had gone away, Baty opened the door to find Jorgensen still standing at the door and advancing on him. Baty fired two shotgun shots at Jorgensen but is was unknown if either of the shots hit Jorgensen as Jorgensen ran outside into the yard.
Baty told Investigator Worley that he then went to the front door and saw Jorgensen coming at him again towards the front door and that is when Baty fired a third shot that killed Jorgensen.
Justice of the Peace Pct. 1, Judge Stephen Hebert responded to the scene and conducted an inquest and ordered an autopsy.
Investigator Worley said no charges are being filed at this time as the case will be referred to the Grand Jury for any possible action.
If you have information about a crime you could earn a cash reward of up to $1000 by providing an ANONYMOUS tip to Crime Stoppers of Southeast Texas.
Call 833-TIPS (8477) or download the P3Tips App on your mobile device to submit your tip anonymously.
