Identities Released in Officer-Involved Shooting
Posted/updated on: June 23, 2017 at 2:14 am
TYLER — Identities have been released in a recent officer-involved shooting in Smith County. Sheriff Larry Smith says the suspect, Kenneth Alan Carner, is a Larue resident in his mid-fifties. Smith says Carner remains hospitalized and criminal charges are still pending. The deputy is Lauren Fite, who has been employed by the Smith County Sheriff’s Office for several years, first in the jail and in the Patrol Division since November 2014. In a news release, Smith says, “Deputy Fite has an exemplary record with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office and has excelled both as a Detention Officer and as a Patrol Deputy.”
Smith says around 12:35 Saturday morning, Fite made a traffic stop on CR 35 (Lavender Road) for driving on the wrong side of the road. Carner exited the vehicle and a short time later was told by the officer he was being detained. At that time Carner, swung at, and hit Fite, according to Smith. The sheriff says the suspect then tried to run and a Taser was used two times in a short period of time. On both occasions Carner is said to have pulled the Taser barbs out and thrown them down.
Smith reports that Carner ran, throwing down what is suspected to be methamphetamine. Fite pursued Carner on foot. Carner reportedly turned and Fite, taking her to the ground. Carner tried to take Fite’s firearm, according to Smith. The sheriff says Fite was able to turn away from Carner and draw a firearm, firing two shots and striking Carner both times. Tyler police officers, Parks and Wildlife personnel, and additional sheriff’s deputies arrived a short time later. Carner was transported to a local hospital by ambulance and placed in surgery.
The Texas Rangers were notified and asked to investigate this matter, as this is standard protocol for the Smith County Sheriff’s Office subsequent to an officer-involved shooting. Smith reports that Fite is doing well and has been placed on paid administrative leave, which is also protocol of the sheriff’s office when it is involved in a shooting incident.
