Officials: Man barricaded in Tyler home, pointed gun at deputy during attempt to carry out evicton

TYLER, Texas (KLTV) - A man is in custody following a barricaded person situation on Alamo Drive in Tyler. Smith County SWAT used tear gas to take the suspect into custody.

The situation started with an attempt to carry out an eviction, according to Sgt. Larry Christian.

At about 10 a.m., Smith County officers responded to Alamo Drive to serve a writ of possession at the residence, using a patrol vehicle loudspeaker to announce their presence, according to a release from Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith. Once at the door, they knocked loudly and continued to identify themselves as Precinct 1 constables, also wearing marked uniforms, the release said.

After several minutes without anyone answering the door, the release said officers attempted to enter and encountered the tenant, identified as Curtis Dewayne Clark, 44, of Tyler, just inside the front door. Clark was allegedly armed with a rifle and pointed it at the deputy constable, the sheriff said, causing two officers to retreat to cover.

The constable called for assistance; patrol deputies, a SWAT team and negotiators were deployed and set up a perimeter around the house, the release stated. Tyler Police officers also responded, but all efforts to negotiate with Clark were unsuccessful.

Clark posted videos to his personal Facebook page during the standoff and could be heard saying, “Imma (sic) go out like a soldier.”

At 1:15 p.m., an arrest warrant was issued by 114th State District Judge Austin Reeve Jackson with the felony offense of aggravated assault on a public servant, with a bond of $500,000. A search warrant was also issued for a search of the premises and the person.

After more than two hours of Clark having been barricaded inside, Smith County SWAT deployed tear gas into the house from several different points, Smith said. Tear gas could be seen pouring out of the home, and residents were temporarily prevented from accessing their houses during the standoff.

Clark came out the back door at about 2:45 p.m. and surrendered to deputies, just before additional Tyler police units were set to arrive, according to the release.

Clark has been booked into the Smith County Jail.

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