A Shining Example Of The Importance Of The Right To Bear Arms

According to Sheriff Bobby Grubbs, the gunman was shot by an armed citizen and responding Early Police Sgt. Steven Means who was being fired upon by the gunman Charles Conner of Early. Grubbs stated that the gunman and the victims had a verbal confrontation about the dogs, and that Conner shot the male victim, then the dogs, and turned the gun on the male victim’s common law wife with a .9mm handgun.

Other residents of the RV park were in their homes as the incident occurred, stated Grubbs. Two adult male residents were reported to have heard the gunshots and saw the victims’ bodies, one of the male residents was the initial reporting party.

Conner was reported to have gone into his RV which was approximately 75-100 yards away and retrieved a 30-30 rifle which he used to shoot at the responding officer and another resident, according to Grubbs. He was also armed with two pistols during this time, said Grubbs.

Another armed resident heard the shots and retrieved his .357 Magnum handgun, and was able to shoot Conner in the leg, and was then fired upon by Conner as Officer Means pulled into the park, according to law enforcement officials. Means saw that Conner was armed and was fired upon as he got out of his vehicle, Grubbs said. Means was able to take cover behind his vehicle and returned fire with his assault rifle which ultimately ended the situation according to Grubbs. As Means and the armed resident returned fire, Conner collapsed dead.

According to Grubbs, the victims were living together at the RV park temporarily, working for the owner of the park in his peach orchard. They are noted to be a white 58-year-old male and a white 53-year-old female. They had lived in the park approximately two months with their two dogs, a small poodle mix and a medium sized border collie mix. Both are residents are from out of state. Their identities are expected to be released as soon as their next of kin are notified according to Grubbs.

Grubbs explained that Conner is a 58-year-old white male who has resided at the park for approximately 10 months and it is believed that he has no previous criminal history.

The resident who assisted police is described as a temporary resident of the park and is also a white male, 66 years of age. His identity is being withheld.

Sheriff Grubbs commended the assisting resident for his actions. Law enforcement has determined that the resident acted valiantly and perhaps saved the lives of Sgt. Means and responding deputies, Grubbs said.

“His actions may have also saved the lives of other citizens who could have innocently walked into the situation. Under fire, the resident shooter returned fire at precisely the right moment. One of the rounds struck Conner in the thigh and staggered Conner as he turned fire on Sgt. Means,” said Grubbs. “This staggered Conner from having an effective aim as Conner fired upon Sgt. Means. This also enabled Sgt. Means to accurately return fire on Conner.”

Early Police Chief David Mercer stated that autopsies are being performed on all three of the deceased in Travis County. Texas Rangers are leading the investigation and more in-depth questions are left for them to answer.

Grubbs and Mercer stated that both Sgt. Means and the assisting resident’s actions are being investigated and will be brought before the Brown County Grand Jury; however, they did not believe any criminal charges would be filed.

“It appears that law enforcement and the citizens of Brown County owe a debt of gratitude toward this man for his courage to act,” explained Grubbs. “It must also be noted that Sgt. Means, of the Early Police Department, responded and acted valiantly, driving into the scene and having the composure and focus to respond under fire, to return fire on Conner. As he was trained, he acted with great courage and is to be commended by law enforcement and the community he serves. His courage is an example of what law enforcement may face at any moment’s notice.”

Sheriff Grubbs also noted that some may take this incident as an opportunity to promote gun control; however he felt it is an example of importance of the right to bear arms.