BEAUMONT, Texas — A shots fired call resulted in the seizure of several guns, including one modified to be a machine gun, as well as four arrests Wednesday in Beaumont's north end.
Beaumont Police officers were initially sent to a home in the 2800 block of Kitchner St. near Concord Rd and Reneaud Ave, on Wednesday afternoon at 2 p.m. after a resident reported that their house had been struck by gunfire, according to a news release from Beaumont Police.
The caller told dispatchers that they followed the suspects, who were in a gray Ford Expedition, to a house about a mile away in the 3700 block of Detroit Ave.
When officers got to the house on Detroit Ave, they spotted the Expedition and what turned out to be two men and a 16-year-old. When the suspects saw police they ran into the house and the "surrounding area," according to police.
The three suspects then got into the Ford Explorer and tried to leave but officers were able to stop them.
Officers arrested Eddie Davis Jr., 17, Jason Murchison Jr., 18, and a 16-year-old boy.
Investigators came to the scene and police then got a search warrant for the home on Detroit Ave. When they searched the home they found several guns including an AR style pistol and a stolen Glock 9mm handgun.
The Glock handgun appeared to have been modified with a "switch" device to shoot fully automatic. A "switch" is a small part, or "machine conversion device," that can be added to a semi-automatic handgun effectively making it a machine gun.
Police also found "suspected narcotics" and stolen property when they searched the home, according to the release.
The three were taken to the Beaumont Police station to speak with detectives and were later charged with "deadly conduct-discharging a firearm." Police say other charges could be filed.
Davis and Murchison were taken to the Jefferson County Correctional Facility and the 16-year-old was taken to the Minnie Rogers Juvenile Detention Facility, police said.
Officers also arrested Jason Murchison Sr., 41, at the Detroit Ave location for "interference with police duties."
Police are working with the ATF on the case.
Simply possessing one of the "switch" devices whether or not it is installed on a gun carries a possible sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison, according to the ATF.
Legally just the switch itself can be considered a "machine gun" as the legal definition says that any combination of parts designed and intended for use in converting a weapon into a machine gun.
"They can fire 30 rounds in 2.26 seconds," said ATF Agent Dominic Rosamilia.
The U.S. Department of Justice, last week announced "Operation Kill Switch," a Texas-wide operation meant to crack down on possession or use of illegal machine gun conversion devices.
These switches are generally about one inch in length and can be made of metal or plastic using a simple 3D printer.
991 switches were seized in Texas from 2017 to 2023, according to the DOJ.
With kids getting into more trouble Beaumont and community leaders agree that more needs to be done.
"Certainly these kill switches are a real concern for all of us, but it shows the program we have is highly effective," said Mayor Roy West.
Southeast Texas leaders are especially concerned that one of the gunmen arrested on Wednesday was only 16-years-old.
"The parents need to get off of their rear ends. It's their kids! Parents...no excuse!" said local youth leader Tudy Duriso.
Duriso is grateful to stand beside adults he mentored in their youth. They say cooperation between the city and families is key.
"Something needs to be done instead of us just sitting back watching and talking about it. We need to put our efforts to work," said Andrew Michael, a youth mentor.
With all the recent crimes involving youth Mayor West agrees the city needs to do more.
"[We need] more youth initiatives in terms of sports and mentoring programs. More possibilities for the kids to be involved," he said.
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
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