Murder Suspect’s Family Insists Shooting Was Accidental

KILGORE (Staff/AP) � The family of a Kilgore murder suspect insists the shooting was accidental. KETK and the Longview News-Kilgore report authorities have arrested a man believed to have shot and killed a Hallsville girl Saturday in the 3000 block of Mustang Drive in Kilgore. Kilgore resident Coby Ray Hudgins, 22, was jailed on $101,000 bond in the death Kayla Elizabeth Williams, 17. Hudgins was seen leaving Hudgins�s mobile home, where police found Williams�s body. Judge Arthur Fort of Gregg County, who pronounced Williams dead at 4:00 Sunday morning, said Williams died instantly from an apparent gunshot wound to the head around 9:20 p.m. Saturday. Beyond saying the shooting was accidental, Hudgins�s family members declined to comment Sunday on his arrest.

Witnesses told police Hudgins had been at the residence earlier with a group of friends. Shortly after Hudgins left the residence he was involved in a vehicle accident on Farm to Market Road 2087. DPS officials arrived on scene, identified Hudgins, and placed him under arrest. Judge Fort said Sunday that Hudgins was intoxicated with a blood alcohol content level of .15 when he was detained. Hudgins has been charged with murder and driving while intoxicated. Police are continuing their investigation as to what led to the shooting. Online jail records don�t list an attorney for Hudgins.