Avinger man dies in shootout with police

The Texas Department of Public Safety issued a release saying that the Texas Rangers are investigating an officer-involved shooting that that took the life of an Avinger man. John L. Stanford, 39, died Monday after he exchanged gunfire with a DPS trooper. According to a press release from DPS Sgt. Adam Albritton an unidentified DPS trooper pulled over Stanford at approximately 10:30 p.m. on U.S. 259 in Gregg County.

“Subsequently, a vehicle pursuit began when the driver fled the traffic stop,” Albritton said.

A police chase began, and then ended on FM 450 in Harrison County. Albritton said the suspect fled on foot into a wooded area. At that point “there was an exchange of gunfire between the suspect and a Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper,” Albritton said.

“The suspect continued into the wooded area and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The suspect has been identified as John L. Stanford, 39, of Avinger, Texas. This investigation is ongoing, with the Texas Rangers as the lead investigator. There is no further information at this time.”