Latest news with #VanZandtCounty
Daily Mail
a day ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Cops make horrifying discovery inside creepy secret trap door underneath grandmother's house
Authorities made a chilling discovery beneath a grandmother's home in Texas, uncovering a hidden trapdoor that led to the capture of a fugitive wanted for capital murder. Trevor McEuen, 33, had been on the run since May 5, when he removed his court-ordered ankle monitor and failed to appear for his trial in the 2023 shooting death of his neighbor, Aaron Martinez. In the wake of his disappearance, McEuen was added to Texas' 10 Most Wanted Fugitives list, with a $30,000 reward offered for information leading to his arrest. After weeks of searching, authorities received a tip that led them to a residence about 65 mils east of Dallas in Van Zandt County - McEuen's grandmother's house. More than 30 officers from local, state, and federal agencies, coordinated by the Kaufman County Sheriff's Office, converged on the property on Sunday evening around 11 pm. 'We got our team together to execute. It took us a little longer than what we wanted. He didn't want to come out,' Kaufman County Sheriff Bryan Beavers told Fox4. 'So we talked and talked, surrounded and talked, then finally used a little tear gas. And we couldn't find him. Then we went boots on the ground inside the house.' After hours of searching the Grand Saline home, officers discovered a hidden trapdoor beneath the floorboards. When they opened it, they found McEuen barefoot and covered in mud, hiding in a crawl space. Still, McEuen resisted arrest, refusing to leave the makeshift hideout, forcing authorities to take further action. 'We found a scuttle hole that he'd cut into the floor,' Beavers said. 'Then we got a little negotiating with him, a little more tear gas, and he decided to come out.' McEuen now faces multiple charges, including capital murder, four counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and arson. He is accused of fatally shooting 35-year-old Aaron Martinez in Forney, Texas, in May 2023 - allegedly firing between 15 and 30 shots execution-style into Martinez's head. 'This person has done some very heinous things and needs to be put in jail,' Beavers said. 'And the Martinez family needs justice finally. We've got him in custody. I think he's gonna get to see justice.' The discovery of the hidden trapdoor and McEuen's capture brought a wave of relief to the Martinez family and the surrounding community. 'I am happy,' Salvador Martinez, the victim's father, said in an interview with CBS News. 'This time, the sheriff, the city of Kaufman did their job. Don't let him out again. He's not supposed to get another chance at bond.' The Martinez family had previously raised concerns about McEuen's potential to flee, citing a history of bond violations and alleged threats against the victim. 'We hope he gets zero bond. We hope the trial is expeditious and that a jury finds him guilty,' Carlos Quintanilla, a family representative, said. McEuen was originally arrested in May 2023, released on bond, and later indicted for capital murder in November of that year. In September 2024, he was released on a $1 million bond. He reportedly violated his bond conditions by posting photos of Martinez and his relatives on Instagram. Given the publicity surrounding the case, McEuen's defense attorney has since signaled a possible move to request a change of venue. 'We'll probably be filing for a change of venue just because this has been such a hot-button topic in Kaufman County,' McEuen's attorney, Abigail Spain, said. 'We just want to make sure that our client gets an unbiased jury.' The Kaufman County Sheriff's Office has stated it remains committed to securing justice for the Martinez family and is currently investigating whether McEuen received assistance during his time as a fugitive. In light of the ongoing legal challenges, the Martinez family has also urged officials to consider transferring the case to another jurisdiction if Kaufman County is unable to prosecute it effectively.
Fox News
3 days ago
- General
- Fox News
Texas murder suspect Trevor McEuen caught after weeks on the run
A Texas capital murder suspect who was out on bond and failed to appear in court was captured Monday after a weeks-long manhunt for the fugitive. "Early this morning, fugitive Trevor McEuen was taken into custody," Kaufman County Sheriff's Office wrote on Facebook Monday, sharing a photo of a muddied and barefoot McEuen handcuffed in the backseat of a law enforcement vehicle. McEuen had been on the run since early May, when he allegedly cut off his ankle monitor and fled the day his trial was scheduled to start in connection with the 2023 shooting of his neighbor, rancher and horse trainer Aaron Martinez. McEuen allegedly admitted to shooting and killing 35-year-old Martinez as the rancher sat in his truck outside his home. McEuen was held on $2 million bond. A judge declined to reduce that bond amount last May, and McEuen ultimately posted bond and was released in September with an ankle monitor, FOX 4 reported. He was taken back into custody after allegedly violating the terms of his release, but McEuen posted $2 million bond again in December and was released a second time. He is facing charges of capital murder by terror threat, murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The Texas Department of Public Safety issued an additional warrant against McEuen on May 6 for arson of a habitation, according to the Midland Reporter-Telegram. When he cut off his ankle monitor, McEuen allegedly set fire to the home where he was staying in Van Zandt County before officers arrived. Gov. Greg Abbott has since cited the case when pushing for bail reform, including a state constitutional amendment that would require Texas judges to automatically deny bail for violent crimes, including murder. On May 15, Abbott said the award for information leading to McEuen's capture increased to $30,000, as he urged Texans to submit an anonymous tip to "help law enforcement apprehend this heinous criminal." The Republican governor said McEuen "is exactly why Texas must fix its broken and deadly bail system." The sheriff's office promised additional details about the circumstances of the arrest would be released later Monday morning.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Strong storms damage Canton Trade Days, take roofs off nearby homes: Sheriff
The Brief Canton has been left with damage after strong storms swept through the area on Sunday. Included in the damaged areas the Canton Trade Days market. CANTON, Texas - Strong winds and heavy rains caused damage at Canton Trade Days and surrounding areas on Sunday. According to county officials, the widespread damage has been largely cleared, and there are no injuries reported. FOX 4 visited Canton Trade Days following the reports of storm damage, and found that trees were toppled, power lines were downed, and many booths and walkways at Trade Days had been damaged and flooded. According to Van Zandt County Sheriff Kevin Bridger, most damage in the area has been cleared, and no injuries have been reported. Bridger reported trees down in the area, roof leaks at the county jail, roofs torn off homes and trees downed across roadways. The sheriff says FM 859 was closed after the storm, and there are some remaining power outages in the city. Bridger also says some businesses and other structures were damaged. The Source Information in this article came from FOX 4 coverage in Canton and Van Zandt County Sheriff Kevin Bridger.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Yahoo
Van Oil Museum unveils new historical marker honoring railway
VAN, Texas (KETK) – The City of Van and the Van Zandt County Historical Commission unveiled a new historical marker on Saturday to commemorate the area's historic railway and oilfield. 'WE ARE VAN': Van remembers deadly 2015 EF-3 tornado 10 years later 'A roaring economy, new oil wells coming into production with lightning speed, thousands of oilfield workers and their families pouring into town—and a brand-new rail line. That was Van, Texas in 1930,' the City of Van said on their website. The new Texas Historical Commission marker is located at the Van Area Oil and Historical Museum and celebrates the Texas & Pacific Railway short line which played a key role in the development of the community. 'The railroad line from Grand Saline to Van served the area for many years, beginning with its opening in July 1930. It played a critical role in the rapid development of the oilfield by bringing in tons of heavy oilfield equipment. The line also transported other cargo as well as passengers,' the City of Van said. To learn more, visit the City of Van online. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
