When the suspect was taken to the Angelina County Jail, a pistol was fired

LUFKIN, Texas (KTRE) – Police are investigating an incident in which a shot went off while being booked at the Angelina County Jail.

Paul Murphy, 20, was arrested for public intoxication at a business on Southwood Drive in Lufkin on Wednesday night. Police say they found both cash and cocaine when they searched Murphy.

Due to Murphy’s alleged alcohol level, he was first taken to the hospital and then to the county jail.

Police turned Murphy over to Angelina County Jail officers for processing. Officers completed the processing, but before he could be processed, authorities say Murphy began to become disruptive. Murphy was placed in a restraint chair in a holding cell in the county jail’s intake area. Murphy remained alone in the cell at this time.

Shortly afterwards, a shot was heard from the cell. When the officers returned to the cell, they found a fired pistol on the floor.

Law enforcement does not believe Murphy was targeting anyone, and since he was alone in the cell at the time, it is unclear exactly how the shot was fired.

The joint news release from the police and sheriff’s offices said Murphy attempted to get the gun back while being restrained, causing it to fall down his pants leg and onto the ground, where it presumably fired one shot.

Both departments are reviewing their procedures to avoid similar incidents in the future.

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