ORANGE COUNTY, Texas — A suspect accused of shooting a man then setting the victim's home on fire is in custody after becoming trapped in the burning home.
Orange County deputies went to a home in the 2800 block of Highway 62 near Interstate 10 shortly before 4 p.m., after receiving a call about a shooting. When deputies arrived at the scene, they found a man who had been shot in the upper right arm and chest, according to an Orange County Sheriff's Office release.
The man was the owner of the home. He was taken to CHRISTUS St. Elizabeth in Beaumont to be treated for his injuries and is expected to be OK.
The victim's wife told deputies that she had just arrived home from a trip out of town, when she heard a single gunshot. Shortly after hearing the gunshot, she saw her husband running from the back of the house stating he had been shot.
The woman told police she, her husband and their baby left their home and ran to a neighbors house for safety.
Witness statements led deputies to assume the suspected shooter was still somewhere on the property, because no one reported seeing him leave. That suspect was later identified as 39-year-old Eric Ray-Martin Thibodeaux.
Deputies and other law enforcement agencies began securing the area because they had reason to believe Thibodeaux was still inside the victim's home. While they were securing the area, law enforcement said they heard a gunshot coming from the within the garage.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team was called to the scene and attempted to talk to Thibodeaux but were unsuccessful. While they were trying to make contact, an additional shot was reportedly fired from inside the home.
At this point, deputies saw heavy smoke coming the home. Deputies have reason to believe Thibodeaux set fire to garage.
Deputies sent in a robot to see if Thibodeaux was still alive. The smoke was too thick, so they could not see.
A while later, law enforcement could hear Thibodeaux yelling for help from inside the home. Deputies were able to get Thibodeaux out of the house through a window.
Thibodeaux was taken to CHRISTUS St. Elizabeth in Beaumont for treatment and then taken to the Orange County Jail. He is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and arson and is currently being held in the jail on bonds totaling $750,000.
Highway 62 was closed for the investigation, but has since been reopened.
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
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From an Orange County Sheriff's Office release:
On Saturday, June 4th, at about 3:48pm, deputies with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the 2800 block of North Hwy 62 in Orange regarding a shooting. Upon arrival, deputies located a male subject who resides at nearby residence suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper right arm and chest. The victim was immediately transported to St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont for medical treatment.
The victim’s wife who retreated from the residence at the time of the shooting was then interviewed. She informed deputies that after her arrival home from a trip out of town, she entered her home and heard a single gunshot. Shortly thereafter, she observed her husband running from the back portion of the residence stating he had just been shot. Both individuals, along with their infant child vacated their residence and ran to nearby neighbors for safety.
Deputies with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, along with area law enforcement immediately established a perimeter around the location due to the suspect remaining inside the victim’s home. Moments later, law enforcement officials reported hearing a gunshot from within the garage area of the residence. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team arrived on scene and attempted to gain communications with the suspect, but received no response. During this time period, an additional shot was fired from within the home.
At this point, heavy smoke was seen coming from the residence. The suspect had set fire to the garage area of the family’s home. A tactical robot was deployed inside residence, but due to the heavy amount of smoke from the fire, no visual benefit was gained. Law Enforcement officials positioned on the north side of the residence could then begin hearing the suspect yelling out for help from within the residence. With heavy smoke and flames emitting from the structure, a window was breached and officials were able to safety remove the suspect from the burning home. He was then taken into custody. The suspect was transported to St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont for a medical evaluation before he was booked into the Orange County Jail.
The suspect has been identified as Eric Ray-Martin Thibodeaux, W/M, DOB: 01/22/1983. He is charged with Aggravated Assault w/Deadly Weapon and Arson.
The victim along with his wife believes burglary may have been the motivation and upon discovery of the suspect inside their home, the suspect utilized their stolen firearm to shoot the homeowner.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division will be investigating this incident with additional criminal charges pending against Thibodeaux.
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