Smithville man arrested, accused of shooting Bastrop County deputy
BASTROP — Bastrop County sheriff’s deputies arrested a Smithville man Monday morning about 12 hours after he was accused of shooting a deputy during a criminal mischief investigation.
Michael Stark, 33, was arrested at 11:53 a.m. after a deputy saw him walking in the 200 block of Cool Water Drive, less than a mile from the LBA Market, where police say he shot Deputy Sawyer Wilson in the chest, arm and rear Sunday night. Wilson is expected to recover.
Stark was taken into custody on four outstanding charges, including possession of cocaine and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, after authorities asked a District Court judge to revoke Stark’s bond on those previous charges. Stark was being held in the Bastrop County Jail on Monday on a combined $2 million bail for those charges, according to Sheriff Maurice Cook.
Stark might face an attempted capital murder charge in the shooting of the deputy, Cook said, though authorities were still evaluating what charges to bring against him.
'This is appalling': Staff at Bastrop County sex trafficking refuge for girls accused of sex trafficking
Wilson, who had surgery on his forearm Monday, was in stable condition, Cook said. Wilson was wearing a bullet-resistant vest and received only bruising from the shots to the chest. He also was bruised from a shot to his rear but suffered a shattered forearm from another shot.
Cook said deputies were dispatched to Overhill Road about 10:36 p.m. Sunday for a criminal mischief call. He said the suspect had fled the scene but a deputy put out a description of the vehicle the suspect was driving. Wilson, who was headed to the scene, noticed a truck fitting the suspect’s vehicle description at LBA Market, a few miles north of Bastrop, and pulled over to investigate whether the driver was a person of interest.
During the investigation, Cook said, Stark shot the deputy several times before fleeing on foot to a heavily wooded area behind LBA Market. After a 12-hour search that included assistance from several neighboring law enforcement agencies, he said, Stark was arrested.
‘Ease some of this burden’
The 100 Club of Central Texas, which supports the families of first responders killed or critically injured in the line of duty, put out a call for donations to help Wilson with his medical bills.
“At this time, Deputy Wilson remains in the hospital recovering from his injuries,” the club said in its call for donations. “While he recovers, the 100 Club is acutely aware of the financial burden placed on his family. It is our mission to help ease some of this burden so Sawyer and his loved ones can focus on his recovery.”
Donations to the club’s Critically Injured Fund may be made online or by mail to 3200 Steck Ave., Suite 240, Austin, TX 78757. The club said all donations made to the fund will be used to support Wilson and the families of other first responders who have been critically injured in the line of duty.
Gov. Greg Abbott issued a statement Monday in support of Wilson, whom he called a hero.
“Selfless heroes like Deputy Wilson put their lives at risk every day to serve their communities, and the state of Texas is ready to provide all resources necessary to bring the perpetrator to justice. I ask that all Texans join the first lady and me in lifting up Deputy Wilson and his family in prayer as he begins his journey to recovery.”
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Smithville man arrested, accused of shooting Bastrop deputy
