Jonathan Layton Obituary, Death – A deadly shooting involving a Smith County Sheriff’s deputy occurred on Monday near Lindale, Texas, when deputies responded to a domestic disturbance. Sheriff Larry Smith reported that the incident unfolded around 12:45 p.m. on Monday when a local business contacted authorities about an employee, later identified as Jonathan Layton, who had been terminated. The employee reportedly threatened to “take care of the situation” and was heading home to retrieve something.
Deputies were dispatched to Layton’s residence on County Road 4109, with officers arriving at approximately 1:08 p.m. Upon arriving at the scene, two deputies entered the home and encountered Layton in a hallway. According to Sheriff Smith, Layton turned toward the deputies while holding a pistol, prompting one of the officers to open fire. The deputy fired three shots, and Layton was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital after being rushed to the emergency room.
Both deputies involved in the shooting were unharmed, but the officer who fired the shots has been placed on temporary leave. This leave is standard procedure, allowing the deputies time to consult with legal counsel while the Texas Rangers conduct an investigation into the shooting. Sheriff Smith emphasized that the deputies acted according to their training during the incident.
The Texas Rangers, the agency responsible for investigating law enforcement-involved shootings, have taken over the investigation to ensure an impartial review of the circumstances surrounding the shooting. The names of the deputies involved have not been released, and the investigation is ongoing.
The community remains shocked by the event, and the Smith County Sheriff’s Office has expressed condolences to the family of Jonathan Layton. The outcome of the investigation will determine whether the deputies’ actions were justified under the circumstances.