The Assistant District Attorney of Kaufman County, Texas, was shot and killed Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013, in a parking lot across the street from the Kaufman County Courthouse. BSDFW.com reports that Chief Prosecutor Mark Hasse, age 57, was pronounced dead after being transported to Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital following the 8:50 a.m. shooting.
Kaufman Police Department, Kaufman County Sheriff’s Department, and the Texas Rangers are currently searching for the suspected shooters. It is believed there were two parties involved. Although at 5:45 p.m. officials are still actively pursuing leads in the case, the Dallas News indicates that an arrest has been made.
Debbie Denmon, a spokeswoman for DA Craig Watkins, said a “confidential source” informed the DA’s office office that an arrest had been made in the case.
But Denmon said Kaufman County officials subsequently would not confirm that an arrest was made.
“We’re going to respect their wishes” on that, she said.
The Kaufman County Courthouse and the Kaufman Independent School District were on lockdown after the shooting. The police chief indicated this was being treated as a targeted attack. From CBSDFW.com:
Investigators are now looking into the criminal cases on Hasse’s calender, as well as his past cases. Kaufman Police Chief Chris Aulbaugh told CBS 11 News that Hasse’s shooting appears to have been a targeted attack and that authorities have no elevated concern for the general public.
The police are looking for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who are responsible for the shooting of Mark Hasse, and there is a $20,000 reward.
WFAA.com also reported that Chief Prosecutor Mark Hasse had been mentioned by the Dallas Morning News as “heavily involved” in the recent investigation of the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas. The Department of Justice issued a press release the day of the shooting about the two members who were scheduled to plead guilty to racketeering charges, crediting the Kaufman County District Attorney’s Office as an agency involved. The authorities have not yet discussed this particular aspect of the investigation, warning the news media to avoid speculation.
Here is the description of the potential shooters, based on information that they have so far:
Possibly two men wearing all black clothing and some type of vests, possibly tactical vests.
A possibly dark brown or silver-colored sedan, similar to a Ford Taurus, with no license plates.
If you have any information regarding this crime, contact Crime Stoppers at 877-TIPSKCC (847-7522) or send a text to 274637.
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