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Man dead in ATV dispute
Shots fired, shooter run over and dies as all scatter
Monitor Staff Reports
SEVEN POINTS–One man is dead following a dispute, which began with the operation of all-terrain vehicles on property west of Seven Points.
Another man is recovering from gunshot wounds.
Henderson County Sheriff’s and District Attorney’s Office personnel responded to a shooting call at 31081 County Road 2100 at around 6:30 p.m. Saturday.
Upon arrival, investigators found Wilburn “Murl” Stanfield Jr., 43, of Kemp dead in the driveway and Jeff Whitworth, 33, of Kemp, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to the chest, arm and face.
According to a press release from the sheriff’s office, Whitworth and family members were riding ATVs on and near their property at the above address.
Stanfield argued with Whitworth about the group’s alleged reckless driving.
Following the initial verbal argument, Stanfield is reported to have driven to his nearby home, retrieved a shotgun and pistol and returned.
Stanfield’s cousin, Patrick Russey, returned with him and entered Whitworth’s property.
Upon exiting the vehicle, Stanfield reportedly threatened Whitworth with the shotgun. He fired at least one shot, and Whitworth was hit.
Whitworth, family members and friends scrambled to vehicles to flee the scene.
According to information gathered at the scene, Stanfield, still holding the shotgun, was within 12 inches of Whitworth’s truck when Whitworth began to accelerate.
Stanfield was struck by the driver’s side of Whitworth’s truck and fell to the ground.
The rear tire of the truck, as well as the trailer attached to the truck, ran over Stanfield.
At that point, Russey fired at least one round from the handgun, striking Whitworth’s truck in the driver’s side door.
Whitworth was transported and treated by medical staff at East Texas Medical Center and is reported in stable condition.
Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Dale Blaylock pronounced Stanfield dead at the scene.
His body was transported to the Medical Examiner’s Office in Dallas for autopsy.
Russey was arrested and charged with Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon and was taken to the Henderson County Detention Center.
He was also booked for two traffic-related warrants issued out of Gun Barrel City.
No charges have been filed against Whitworth, so far.
The case is being presented to the District Attorney’s Office for review and further action.

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Eustace gets pop-up storm
Monitor Staff Reports
EUSTACE–High temperatures Sunday afternoon produced pop-up thunderstorms – one in Eustace.
Residents there reported about an hour of high winds and hail from pea size to quarter-sized.
A clerk at the TexStop convenience store reported the storm lasting from around 5:40 to 6:50 p.m.
After the storm, the city was littered with downed tree limbs, blown down signs and other light damage.

Monitor Photo/Pearl Cantrell
Downed tree limbs littered much of Eustace, following a pop-up thunderstorm there late Sunday afternoon. No injuries were reported.

A National Weather Service meteorologist said it is not uncommon for isolated thunderstorms to crop up in the late afternoon on extremely hot days.
One sign in Gun Barrel City registered 105 degrees Sunday afternoon.
Henderson County was under a severe thunderstorm warning, with the Purtis Creek and Eustace area on a watch.
State park director Mendy Davis said several trees were torn up during the high winds, but no serious damage was registered.
The weather service reported no tornadoes in Henderson County Sunday.

Peace officers treated to appreciation luncheon
Special to The Monitor
ATHENS–The Henderson County District and County Attorney offices hosted the second annual peace officer appreciation luncheon at the Peace Officers Association building at Lake Athens recently.
The luncheon coincided with the peace officer memorial held May 17.
Although the event was sponsored by the prosecutor’s offices, numerous local businesses, civic organizations and churches contributed in order to make the luncheon a success.
County Attorney Clint Davis and District Attorney Scott McKee grilled more than 100 hamburgers on grills donated by Dallas Manufacturing.

Courtesy Photo
Henderson County Attorney Clint Davis (front) and District Attorney Scott McKee flip hamburgers for the peace officer appreciation luncheon held May 17.

Other businesses answered the call for donations for the rest of the luncheon while county employees prepared and served up the offerings.
The hamburgers were donated by Whataburger of Athens.
Each peace officer received a free lunch and a goodie bag of gifts from local businesses.
“We can’t thank them enough for what they do for our community. They get up each day and put their lives on the line to protect us. I consider it an honor to work and serve with them,” McKee said.
“I have been amazed at how successful this event has become after only two years, due to the great turnout and merchant participation,” Davis added.
“It is truly one of the more enjoyable events that we put on each year, and it’s our way of letting our peace officers know how much we appreciate the jobs they do” he added.
Event organizers thank the following sponsors: All American 4-H, Agriland Farm Credit, Applebee’s, Arby’s, Athens Café, Athens Chamber of Commerce- Sarah Hueber, Athens Country Club, Athens Fire Department, Athens Welcome Center, Lora Tomlinson with Century 21, Chicken Express, Chili’s , Citizens National Bank of Athens, Coffee Love, Crestway Park Dental, Cripple Creek BBQ, Dallas Manufacturing, Denny’s, Dogwood Baptist Church, East Texas Medical Center, Elder Chrysler Dodge Jeep, Eustace 4-H, First Baptist Church of Athens, First State Bank of Athens, Frontier Gas, Groom and Sons, Henderson County 911 District, Holiday Inn Express, Hope Water, Jack in the Box of GBC, Jalopy Joes Gourmet Popcorn, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Kwik Kar Oil and Lube, Lake Athens Baptist Church, Law Offices of Jeff Weinstein, Linebarger, Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP, Lone Star Western Wear, Long John Silver’s, Mazzio’s, McAlister’s, Net Data, Prosperity Bank, Rounders Pizza, Snow Flake Donut in Gun Barrel City, Dr. Steve Woodruff, Texas Trust Credit Union, Tilo’s, Tyler Technologies, Wal-Mart of Athens & Gun Barrel City, Voice Inc., Whataburger, Yelof’s.