Cass County couple honored as heroes
Bowie County Sheriff ’s Office held a press conference on August 19, to recognize two individuals, husband, and wife, who heroically followed a murder suspect until the police could take over the chase after the suspect shot a Bowie County deputy in the face during a traffic stop.
Friday, Bowie County Sheriff honored Johnny and Victoria Stevens of Cass County were honored for their heroic efforts in assisting law enforcement in tracking down murder suspect Hector Alejandro Pintor Aguilar, who shot Bowie Sheriff ’s officer Office Lt. Scott Lillis after pulling over a stolen vehicle. The Stevens were traveling on Highway 59 on the evening of August 6 when they witnessed the shooting. They then began chasing the suspect’s vehicle while notifying law enforcement.
According to reports, the Stevens said they followed the suspect’s vehicle for about 10 miles before law enforcement arrived to take over. In a release from the Bowie County Sheriff ’s Department, the couple was honored because the “two Cass County Citizens witnessed this crime and pursued the suspect without regard to their own safety... They chased a dangerous person and exposed themselves to grave danger.”
The incident started earlier in the day on the 6th when (at approximately 1:29 p.m.),. According to a press release, “the Bowie County Sheriff ’s office responded to a shooting on Private Road 82008 outside of Hooks TX. Deputies arrived to find two victims, one male and one female, shot outside of the home. Both were transported by ambulance in an effort to preserve life. The Hispanic male, identified as Serafin Garcia-Alanis 55 years of age of Texarkana Arkansas, died as a result of his injuries. The Hispanic female victim, 52 years of age-also of Texarkana Arkansas, was treated for multiple gunshot wounds and is in stable condition. The suspect in this crime has been identified as Hector Alejandro Pintor Aguilar, a Hispanic male approximately 32 years of age.”
“The suspect (then) fled the scene in a vehicle that was later wrecked in Sevier County Arkansas. When a passer- by stopped to check on him, he robbed them of their vehicle at gunpoint. He then fled northbound on US Highway 71 in the stolen vehicle. The stolen vehicle was described as a 2005 GMC 4wd truck, white in color, lifted with large wheels.”
Since at the time of the pursuit the firearm used in this crime had not been recovered and was still possessed by the suspect, he was reportedly armed and dangerous. That later became the case.
On August 7, a new press release was sent by the Bowie County Sheriff ’s Office. “Lt. Scott Willis observed a vehicle matching the description of the one being driven by the murder suspect responsible for killing Serafin Garcia Alanis. The vehicle had been taken at gunpoint in Sevier County, Arkansas after Hector Alejandro Pintor Aguilar fled Bowie County.
“On 8-6-2022 at approximately 10:36 p.m., Lieutenant Lillis attempted a traffic stop on the vehicle near the intersection of U.S. Highway 59 and South Kings Highway. As Lt. Lillis approached the vehicle from the passenger side, he was shot in the face by the suspect. Witnesses (Johnny and Victoria Stevens ) observed the shooting and attempted to follow the suspect as he fled the scene of the injured deputy. They were unable to maintain sight of Aguilar due to his erratic behavior. Life Net Ambulance personnel responded to Lt. Lillis along with all available area law enforcement. As Lt. Lillis was being transported to St. Michael’s Hospital, Aguilar abandoned the stolen vehicle he was driving near the intersection of Spur 76 and U.S. Highway 82w near Hooks, TX.
“He was able to steal another vehicle at gunpoint and flee the scene. Area law enforcement located that vehicle in the wood line off Interstate 30 (eastbound) where Aguilar was presumed to have fled on foot. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice Telford Unit provided tracking dogs that were able to track Aguilar to a vacant residence on Roy Road (County Road 2206). Tactical Units from Texarkana Texas Police Department, Texarkana Arkansas Police Department, and the Texas Department of Public Safety set up a perimeter and eventually located Aguilar within the home using a tactical robot.
“He was non-cooperative and led law enforcement on an hours-long standoff. Using tactical cameras, the Texas DPS tactical team was able to locate Aguilar in a specific room within the home. He did not respond to audio or visual stimuli, indicating he may already be deceased. Entry was made and Hector Alejandro Pintor Aguilar was confirmed deceased of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Justice of the Peace Nancy Talley responded and ordered the autopsy of Aguilar.”
An update on Lieutenant Scott Lillis was received on August 8, noting that Lt. Lillis was receiving “excellent care at St. Michael’s Hospital and was transferred to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) in Little Rock for specialized care. He is in stable condition.
“Lt. Lillis has lost the use of his left eye and has bone fractures near the injury site. Corrective surgery is scheduled for a later date. Except for the loss of his left side vision, he is expected to make a full recovery. I am attaching some photographs of Lt. Scott Lillis that were provided by his wife. The community support for his family and for our Office as a whole has been overwhelming. There simply aren’t words to express how thankful we are to work and live in Texarkana. Continued prayer for Lt. Lillis is certainly appreciated.”
Both Sherriff Larry Rowe and County Judge Travis Ransom were in attendance at the press conference to help honor Johnny and Victoria Stevens. Rowe in a statement to the Journal-Sun said that he is “proud to be over here to honor our residents of Cass County. No one made them do anything, they acted on their own. Great people! Proud of them before and know them now.” Ransom agreed, saying that what they did was a “great example of citizenship. Citizenship in our community means looking out for one another. That’s what these folks did. They demonstrated what it means to be a responsible citizen, taking care of one another and that is outstanding!”
At the end of the press conference, Officer Kyle Holcomb announced that the department pulled money together to thank the Stevens for their bravery.