Rusk County Sheriff's Office releases statement after NBC investigation into 2022 fatal shooting

Yahoo

13-05-2025

HENDERSON, Texas (KETK) — The Rusk County Sheriff's Office has released a statement following an NBC investigation into the death of Timothy Michael Randall, after being pulled over for a traffic violation three years ago.
Randall, 29, was pulled over on CR 4125 near SH 64 near Turnertown on September 14, 2022, and of the traffic stop. Years later, his family continues to search for answers in their son's death.
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It took nearly two years and a federal lawsuit for the police video capturing the fatal shooting to be released.
Since the investigation aired, KETK reached out to the sheriff's office for a statement:
'We are disappointed by NBC's portrayal of the incident involving Deputy Iversen. The story, in our view, failed to provide a balanced or complete account of the facts and omitted essential context that shaped the deputy's response.
At the core of this case is a split-second decision made by a deputy operating alone in a high-risk area with limited backup support. The video footage released to the public captures only one angle of an evolving situation that became violent due to the suspect's actions. Key facts ignored in the story include:
In an area known for criminal activity, the individual was traveling in a vehicle with out-of-state temporary tags, and failed to stop immediately upon seeing the deputy. He eventually pulled onto a small side road with very limited visibility, heightening the threat level for the deputy.
Upon contact, the deputy identified an open alcohol container in the vehicle and requested the suspect to exit the vehicle.
Once outside of the vehicle, the video clearly shows the suspect resisting lawful commands and reaching into the front waistband of his pants, a known place of weapon concealment, creating a reasonable threat perception.
Deputy Iversen conducted a pat-down of the suspect's waistband area and felt an item. With another search effort, Deputy Iversen felt the item in question, which he believed was a small-caliber pistol, like a North American Arms .22.
A physical struggle followed. The suspect struggled with the deputy on the ground, placing the deputy in a compromised and dangerous position.
The suspect got to his feet while the deputy was still on the ground but did not run away. Instead, the suspect initially turned towards the deputy at a distance of approximately five feet from the deputy.
The suspect's actions-delaying the stop, resisting detention, attempting to reach inside his clothing, and resisting and struggling-placed the deputy and the community at risk.
A later-search revealed the suspect was in possession of a meth-pipe, methamphetamine, and was under the influence of alcohol, methamphetamine and THC. He also had a significant criminal history.
Unlike Deputy Iversen on the night of the incident, the press has the luxury of watching and re-watching the video, cutting the video and slowing it down frame by frame.'
Robert Davis, Counsel for retired Deputy Iversen and the Rusk County Sheriff's Office:
'NBC's story lacked balance and omitted critical facts. It featured multiple voices critical of Deputy Iversen while reducing our position to a brief quote. Key facts-such as the suspect resisting detention, reaching in his waistband, the Deputy feeling an item in the suspect's waistband that he believed to be a pistol, the suspect turning towards the Deputy instead of away from the Deputy, and the suspect being under the influence of methamphetamine, THC and alcohol-were either minimized or ignored.
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We were not provided a fair opportunity to present the full context, the facts were selectively framed, and portions of the video were selectively cut. A complete and impartial review can only take place through the legal system-not through edited narratives. This case has already been thoroughly reviewed by both the Texas Rangers and a grand jury of the suspect's peers, neither of which found grounds to pursue charges.
Regarding the video release, as the family and their attorneys know, the Texas Ranger offered them the opportunity to watch the video at his office, and they chose not to do so. The Sheriff's Office did not have the ability to release the video because it was evidence in the Texas Ranger's investigation. Additionally, the family hired an attorney within two weeks of the incident preventing the Sheriff's Office from being able to continue speaking with the family.
We intend to present the full evidence in the courtroom, where outcomes are determined by facts-not headlines. The legal process is the proper venue to assess accountability, and we are fully prepared to present the facts that demonstrate the reasonableness of Deputy Iversen's actions. We remain confident in the result.'
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