James Matalice Smith

CUSTODIAL DEATH REPORT Agency Information CDR Number: 21-1115-UF Version Type: AMENDED 4/12/2022 11:16 Report Date: Status: Submitted AM Agency/Facility Information Texas Department Agency Name: Agency Address: PO BOX 4087 Of Public Safety Agency City: Austin Agency State: TX Agency Zip: 78773 Director Information Director Salutation: Director Director First Name: Steven Director Middle Name: C Director Last Name: McCraw Joanne Reporter Name: Reporter Email: [email protected] Scarbrough Decedent Information Custodial Death Report :: Page 1 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- Identity of Deceased First Name: James Middle Name: Matalice Last Name: Smith Suffix: Date of Birth: 9/6/1979 Sex: Male Black or African Race: American Age At Time Of Death: 41 Date/Time of Custody (arrest, incarceration) (mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm AM/PM): Date/Time of Custody or 8/18/2021 2:40 AM Incident: Date/Time of Death (mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm AM/PM): Death Date and Time: 8/18/2021 2:40 AM Manner / Cause of Death Has a medical examiner or coroner conducted an evaluation to determine a cause of death? Medical Examiner/Coroner Yes, results are Evaluation?: available What was the manner of death? (select only one) Homicide (includes Custodial Death Report :: Page 2 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- Manner of Death: Justifiable Homicide) Medical Cause of Death: Medical Cause of Death: Multiple Gunshot Wounds Had the decedent been receiving treatment for the medical condition that caused the death after admission to your jail's jurisdiction? Medical Treatment: Not Applicable If death was an accident, homicide or suicide, who caused the death? Law Who caused the death?: enforcement/correctional personnel If a weapon caused the death, what type of weapon caused the death? (Hold CTRL to select all that apply) Type of weapon that caused Rifle/shotgun death?: Was the cause of death the result of a pre-existing medical condition or did the decedent develop the condition after admission? Not Applicable; cause of death was Pre existing medical accidental injury, condition?: intoxication, suicide or homicide If death was an accident, homicide or suicide, what was the means of death? Means of Death: Firearm Custodial Death Report :: Page 3 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- Location / Custody Information Where did the event causing the death occur? Street Address: 4120 FM 60 City: Somerville County: Burleson Zip: 77879 What location category best describes where the event causing the death occurred? Location Category: Residence/Home What type of custody/facility was the Decedent in at the time of death: Pre-Custodial Use Type of Custody: of Force Specific type of custody/facility: Specific Type of Custody/Facility: Custody of Law Enforcement Personnel during/fleeing arrest What was the time and date of the deceased's entry into the law enforcement facility where the death occurred (mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm AM/PM): Entry Date Time: Entry Date Time N/A: Where did the death occur? Death Location: Scene of incident Custodial Death Report :: Page 4 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- General Information Did any other law enforcement agencies respond to calls for service related to this incident? Other Agencies Respond?: Yes What were the most serious offense(s) with which the deceased was (or would have been) charged with at the time of death? Offense 1: Attempted Capital Murder of Peace Officer Offense 2: Robbery Offense 3: Were the Charges:: Filed What were the types of charges or reason for contact? (Hold CTRL to select all that apply) Violent Crime Type of Offense: Against Persons At any time during the incident and/or entry into the law enforcement facility, did the decedent display or use a weapon? Decedent display/use of Yes, mark all that weapons: apply Displayed firearm Decedent Display or Use without discharge; Weapon Details: Discharged firearm At any time during the incident and/or entry into the law enforcement facility, did the decedent: Yes (select all that Custodial Death Report :: Page 5 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- Attempt to Injure Others?: apply) Injured law enforcement Ways Decedent Attempted To personnel; Injure Others: Attempted to injure law enforcement personnel At any time during the incident and/or entry into the law enforcement facility, did the decedent: Appear intoxicated (alcohol or Unknown Make suicidal statements?: Yes drugs): Exhibit any mental health Unknown Exhibit any medical problems?: Unknown problems?: At any time during the incident and/or entry into the law enforcement facility, did the decedent: Barricade self or initiate Resist being handcuffed or Yes Yes standoff?: arrested?: Physically attempt/assault Gain possession of officer's Yes No officer(s): weapon: Verbally threaten other(s) Escape or attempt to No Unknown including law: escape/flee custody: Attempt gain possession No officer's weapon: Was the deceased under restraint in the time leading up to the death or the events causing the death? Under Restraint: No Summary of Incident Summary of How the Death Occurred: (max. 30,000 characters) Summary: On the evening of August 17, 2021, the suspect, James Matalice Smith, barricaded himself in a home after shooting a Burleson County Sheriff's Office deputy who was trying to serve a warrant at the home. Custodial Death Report :: Page 6 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- Trooper Joshua Strawn was on a special response team that attempted to arrest Smith for committing Attempted Capital Murder of a Peace Officer. After barricading for several hours, the suspect exited the home as if he was about to voluntarily surrender. The suspect then laid himself on the ground. As Trooper Strawn approached to apprehend him, the suspect raised his weapon toward the officers and fired multiple shots. One of the rounds struck Trooper Strawn in the arm. Trooper Strawn returned fire and struck the suspect. The suspect was treated by Burleson County Emergency Medical Services and was later pronounced dead at the scene. Custodial Death Report :: Page 7 of 7