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EDEN, Texas As condolences and fundraising events pop up around the country for the two Concho County deputies slain Monday in Eden, efforts to help the lone survivor of the deadly shooting are also underway.
Texas Rangers later arrested Jeffrey Nicholas, who was booked into Tom Green County Jail on two charges of capital murder of a police officer. His bond has been set at $4 million. Authorities said Nicholas later apologized for killing both deputies and injuring Winans.
What happened: Winans critically injured during deadly shooting
An eyewitness to the shooting said the incident began over an animal complaint and quickly escalated into violence.
Wed, 05/12/2021 - 12:00am
Shock turned to grief and mourning Tuesday morning as word spread that a longtime Lamesa resident who had been a deputy sheriff here up until just a couple of weeks ago was killed in the line of duty at his new job in Eden.
Deputy Samuel Leonard of Lamesa, age 26, and fellow Concho County Sheriff’s Sgt. Stephen Jones were both shot and killed Monday evening in Eden.
Another individual, identified as an Eden city employee, was critically injured in the same incident, according to a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) spokeperson.
Funeral services for Leonard, who leaves behind a wife and .
Capital Murder: What Really Went Down in Eden, Texas
EDEN, TX According to court documents exclusively obtained by San Angelo LIVE!, two Concho County Sheriff’s Deputies were engaged in a struggle where the deputies attempted to use a Taser to subdue Jeffery Vincent Nicholas, 28. That is when both deputies were shot and killed by Nicholas. The two victims were Deputy Stephen Jones and Deputy Samuel Leonard.
The incident happened at 8:40 p.m. Monday night, May 10.
The official report states that both deputies responded to the 100 block of Bryan Street in Eden to investigate an incident involving a dog bite. While investigating, the deputies encountered Nicholas and asked him where the dog or dogs where. Nicholas refused to cooperate, court documents state. Then Nicholas ordered the peace officers off his property. According to the witnesses the Texas Rangers interviewed, Nicholas threatened to shoot the deputies if the deputies did not get off his property.
The deputies, Samuel Leonard and Sgt. Stephen Jones, were fatally wounded after they were dispatched to the 100 block of Bryan Street for a dog complaint.
Several fundraisers to help the families have already been planned. Here are different ways to honor the slain officers and their families.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
Did we miss an event or fundraiser? Send the details to rosanna.fraire@gosanangelo.com.
Funeral Services
The Concho County Sheriff’s Office has released information on funeral services for the two deputies on its Facebook.
Visitation for Sgt. Jones will be held on Tuesday, May 18 from 6-8 p.m. at San Angelo s Johnson’s Funeral Home, 435 W Beauregard Ave. Funeral services will be on Wednesday, May 19 at 1 p.m. at PaulAnn Church, 2531 Smith Blvd., in San Angelo.
PICTURED: Two Texas deputies shot dead by man because he was angry they were running around his yard trying to catch a dog
Concho County deputies Stephen Jones and Samuel Leonard were shot and killed while responding to a dog complaint Monday night
Ronnie Winnans, a local city employee, was also shot and injured
Police arrested Jeffrey Nicholas, 28, and charged him with capital murder in connection with the shooting - he is being held on $4 million bond
Witnesses say Nicholas warned the officers before opening fire
A standoff lasted 30 minutes before the suspect in the shooting was arrested
A witness said the incident began when a dog the officers had been chasing wandered onto Nicholas property