The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Homicide and Violent Crimes Unit was notified Monday afternoon that 68-year-old James Cross, who was shot by Deputies on February 2, 2023, has passed away. The investigation continues. As standard procedure, the case will be presented to the Montgomery County Grand Jury for review.
ORIGINAL STORY
On February 2, 2023, at 12:45 am, Deputies with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office responded to a disturbance call to the 31700 block of Oak Crossing in Magnolia, Texas. The 911 caller advised that two unknown males were outside the home one of them armed with a long gun. The 911 caller provided a detailed description of the subject with the long gun, which was relayed to responding Deputies. The 911 caller advised he did not know the subject and urged for a quicker response because he feared someone would get shot. Two Deputies arrived and observed a male with a gun in the front yard matching the description the 911 caller provided. Deputies gave multiple commands to drop the weapon; however, the subject refused to comply and then pointed the gun in the direction of the Deputies. In fear for their lives, Deputies discharged their firearms, striking the subject multiple times. Deputies then provided life-saving measures until EMS arrived. The subject was transported to a local hospital where he is expected to survive.
Preliminary investigation indicates that the 911 caller, a 68-year-old male, and the subject with the long gun are one and the same. The 911 caller provided a description of the clothing he was wearing and the subject’s location while describing himself as the trespasser with the long gun to the 911 operator.
Additionally, we have learned that the subject has symptoms of mental health issues that might have contributed to his behavior this night. The subject lives with a family who was unaware of what was occurring until the Deputies arrived.
This shooting is being investigated by Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office in tandem with Montgomery County District Attorney’s office and the Texas Rangers.
We are thankful that this tragic shooting did not result in the loss of life and ask for your thoughts and prayers for the family and Deputies who were involved.
