Information provided by Van Alstyne Police Lt. Steven Hayslip and the Dallas Express online newspaper, which quotes information from a Carrollton, Texas, press release. Carollton PD did not respond to the Van Alstyne News request for press information.
Recently, a Carrollton murder suspect killed himself in a standoff with Van Alstyne police.
Jomaar Lee Davis was suspected of murdering his girlfriend, Briana Casto, on October 20. Then he killed himself on October 21 in Van Alstyne during a police standoff.
Carrollton police responded to a medical emergency near 4600 N. Josey Lane around 10:12 a.m. on October 20, according to the release. When they arrived, they found 24-year-old Casto dead from an apparent gunshot wound.
The investigation identified Davis as the main suspect and the detectives began their search for him. While the search was underway, Carrollton officials obtained an arrest warrant charging Davis with murder.
On October 21, the Celina Police Department shared information that placed Davis in or near Van Alstyne. “The suspect’s phone was actively pinging in the Van Alstyne area,” the release read.
The Collin County Sheriff’s Office notified Van Alstyne Police Department around 3:30 a.m. about Davis’ possible location, according to a release from the department.
Van Alstyne police responded and LaCore’s Nutraceuticals area of Van Alstyne, off FM 3133 at Industrial Parkway.
Other agencies also responded, including the Anna Police Department, Howe Police Department, Carrollton Police Department, Grayson County Sheriff’s Office, and Collin County Sheriff’s Office. Together, they contained the situation ensuring the safety of the public, said Hayslip.
“Crisis negotiators established phone contact with the suspect; however, communication was later cut off by the suspect,” the release stated. Members of the Grayson County SWAT team subsequently approached the vehicle in an armored vehicle, at which point a gunshot was heard.
The suspect had sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Van Alstyne EMS, which had been standing by during the situation, immediately rendered life-saving aid before he was flown by air ambulance to a nearby hospital for treatment, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Van Alstyne’s Partin Elementary School was near the scene, and school officials opened that school later in the day, as another precaution to public safety.
Van Alstyne police thanked all responders for their professionalism and teamwork.
“The coordinated response among local and regional law enforcement, fire, and EMS personnel helped bring a very dangerous situation to a resolution while keeping our community safe. We are grateful for the dedication and support from every agency that assisted,” Hayslip said.