22-04-2025
Texas county commissioner injured, husband killed in stabbing, grandson arrested
Texas county commissioner injured, husband killed in stabbing, grandson arrested
This story has been updated to correct the name spelling of Mitchell Blake Reinacher.
A Texas commissioner was injured and her husband was killed after police said they were allegedly stabbed by their grandson.
Police in Lewisville, Texas, a suburb of Dallas, said that Denton County Commissioner Bobbie Mitchell and her husband, Fred Mitchell, were found with stab wounds on the morning of April 21.
The discovery was made after police said they responded to reports of an "assault in progress" at around 3:50 a.m. local time.
According to police, both Mitchell and her husband were transported to a local hospital. Officials said Bobbie Mitchell is in stable condition, but her husband was pronounced dead at around 5 a.m. local time.
Police said the suspect, 23-year-old Mitchell Blake Reinacher, was arrested and charged. He was charged with murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, according to online records.
USA TODAY could not immediately find an attorney representing Reinacher on Tuesday.
A 'prominent public servant'
Police added that Bobbie Mitchell is a "prominent public servant" and was Lewisville's first Black mayor.
According to Mitchell's bio on the Denton County Commissioners' website, she served as mayor from 1993 to 2000 before becoming a Denton County Commissioner, serving in the position from 2000 to today. The bio added that Mitchell has nine grandchildren, including Reinacher.
"This is a heartbreaking tragedy and I extend my sincerest condolences to the Mitchell family," Denton Mayor Gerard Hudspeth said in a statement. "Commissioner Mitchell has spent years supporting the residents of Denton County, now her family needs our prayers and compassion. I stand ready to assist in anyway needed."
Lewisville Mayor TJ Gilmore also released a statement thanking first responders and wishing Bobbie Mitchell a speedy recovery.
"The City is holding our Commissioner and her family close to our hearts," Gilmore said. "If you've ever been at an event where Bobbie has prayed over you, please lift her and the family up as she has lifted our community."
Sharon Leon, a neighbor of the Mitchell's told local news station NBC 5 that Fred Mitchell was a constant presence in the community.
"He spends a lot of time out watering his plants and he has a big smile and says 'hi' every single time that we come out," Leon told NBC 5. "I just feel like, why did that happen to that poor guy and her?"
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
