1 Killed, 1 in Custody after Smith Co. Shooting

SMITH COUNTY A shooting in the northeastern part of Smith County has left one person dead and one in custody. The shooting occurred around 12:45 Tuesday afternoon in the 15000 block of Shady Creek Road in the Jackson Oak neighborhood. Killed was Walter Elder, 65, of Tyler. He was found in his car which had crashed into a tree. The suspect is identified as Kenneth Stearns, 55, of Tyler (pictured).

When officers arrived on the scene, they found Elder, who had been shot, trapped in his wrecked car. Members of the Jackson Volunteer Fire Department had to cut Elder out of his vehicle. He was rushed to a Tyler hospital where he died shortly after 2:15 Tuesday afternoon. According to witnesses, the suspect fled the scene in a maroon truck. It was found abandoned at the residence of the suspect. Just before 1:30, Stearns was taken into custody without incident at his residence located in the 15500 block of Shady Creek Road. He was booked into the Smith County Jail on a charge of murder. His bond was set at $250,000.