Gunman opens fire outside Texas courthouse ahead of sexual assault trial

• Tweet
• 
• 

• Tweet

During a lunch break ahead of a major trial in Beaumont, Texas, a man accused of sexually assaulting his daughter allegedly opened fire with a high powered rifle, reportedly killing at least one person and wounding several others.

Police in Jefferson County told reporters that Bartholomew Granger, 41, engaged officers amid a hostage standoff near the courthouse steps just prior to the continuation of his trial, which had been ongoing since Monday.

His daughter reportedly testified against him on Tuesday, and was set to take the stand again.

The identity of his victims remains unclear, but KHOU.com in Houston reported that the victim who died was an elderly woman who was visiting the courthouse.

Granger was previously charged with drug possession and a gun-related charge, according to 12 News Now in Beaumont.

He reportedly fled the scene and took shelter in a nearby structure, where he was later captured by police after sustaining severe injuries. His condition was not yet known at the time of this report.

Texas law does not require gun owners to obtain a state permit before purchasing a firearm, and “assault weapons” are not subject to regulation.