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(L - R) Chief Deputy Byron Lyons, Investigator Ken Bohnert, Officer Chad Ward

Fugitive Shot After Attempting to Run Over Deputy U.S. Marshall, LIVINGSTON, June 9, 2009 - Rayford Leach, a fugitive from justice wanted on a felony warrant, was shot by a Deputy with the U.S. Marshals sponsored Joint East Texas Fugitive Task Force after he attempted to run over law enforcement officers attempting to serve the warrant.

Leach was wanted by the State of Texas for a Parole Violation stemming from an earlier conviction for Aggravated Robbery.  Deputy U.S. Marshals, Agents with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Office of Inspector General, and Officers with the Livingston Police Department were conducting surveillance of a RV Park where Leach was reported to be living with a girlfriend.  At approximately 4:30PM Leach was observed driving north on U.S. Highway 59 in a gold Chevrolet Malibu.  Officers attempted to block Leach in as he was sitting at a red light at the intersection of U.S. Highway 59 and U.S. Highway 190.  As Officers approached the vehicle Leach threw it into reverse striking the vehicle behind him and then put it in drive and attempted to ram through the barricade.  At that time a Deputy U.S. Marshal, fearing for his life, fired on Leach as he was attempting to run over Deputies and other Officers at the scene.

Leach received a gunshot wound to his left shoulder and was transported by life flight to Herman Hospital in Houston, Texas.  A Deputy U.S. Marshal was transported to a local hospital in Livingston, the extent of his injuries are unknown at this time.  Currently an investigation into the incident is underway and is being conducted by the Texas Department of Public Safety, Ranger Service.