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Suspect vehicle in Clements shooting may be involved in Texas chase
Posted: 03.21.2013 at 2:14 PM
Updated: 03.22.2013 at 6:00 AM
Abbie Burke

Abbie Burke is a general assignment reporter for FOX21 News.

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UPDATE: More information and video added

Authorities on scene following a chase in Wise County, Texas  / Courtesy KDFW FOX4
Photo

DECATUR, TEXAS -- The suspect vehicle from the shooting of Tom Clements may have been involved in a high speed chase in Texas, according to the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office.

According to authorities in Texas, the vehicle, a black Cadillac with Colorado plates, was pulled over on Thursday by a Montague County Sheriff’s Deputy.

That’s when the driver of the car opened fire before speeding off.

The deputy was struck several times in the chest, according to authorities, but he was wearing his bulletproof vest. He also suffered a graze wound to his head. He was taken to the hospital and his injuries are said to be non-life-threatening.

The suspect eventually crashed in Wise County and opened fire as deputies and state troopers approached.

"He exited the vehicle with a firearm and engaged our deputies in a firefight," David Walker, Wise County Sheriff, said. 
 
Authorities said the suspect was shot and transported to the hospital. No other law enforcement officers were injured.

"We've been told that he is basically legally deceased, however he is on machines for potential organ harvesting," Walker said.

"It didn't look like he wanted to be caught or be taken alive, one way or the other, and it was obvious he was trying to hurt somebody and he was trying to hurt the police,"  Rex Hoskin, Chief of Decatur Police, said.

The El Paso County Sheriff’s office said it is cooperating with the FBI and authorities in Texas to determine if the chase is connected with the death investigation of Clements.

The El Paso County Sheriff's office also confirmed they are sending investigators to Texas.

Authorities said until the suspect's car can be processed a definite connection can not be determined.

"The Department of Public Safety crime lab will be here tomorrow to do that with us. We have not got in the vehicle yet to get any evidence out. Do we suspect that it will be related? It may be, but until we get in the car we can't say for sure," Walker said.

The suspect hasn't been identified yet. Authorities said they will have to rely on fingerprints as the man had no identification on him.

It was late Tuesday evening when Clements, the Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Corrections, was fatally shot when he answered the front door of his Monument home, authorities said.

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office first responded to the home, located in the 17400 block of Colonial Park Drive, near Higby Road, at about 8:45 p.m. Clements was found dead.

Gov. John Hickenlooper on Wednesday morning ordered that flags be flown at half-staff in honor of Clements.

Hickenlooper said it’s not known if the shooting was an act of retaliation but he said it could be an act of intimidation.

"Detectives from the Sheriff's Office are working diligently to determine what occurred and who perpetrated the crime," the El Paso County Sheriff's Office said in a news release. "We are sensitive to the high profile position in which Mr. Clements served and the fact there could be people who would target him based on his position. However, we remain open minded to all investigative possibilities and continue to work all available clues and sources of information."

Any information about the vehicle of interest of this shooting can be reported to the Sheriff's Office at (719) 390-5555.

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