PRESS RELEASE — Newton County Sheriff, Billy Rowles, says one person was shot and two people were taken into custody following a late Monday morning disturbance. Deputies responded to 9931 U.S. Highway 87 just north of Bleakwood shortly before 12:00 noon when a disturbance with shots fired was reported to 911.

Rowles said a man had a gunshot wound to his thigh with massive bleeding, and it’s believed that the bullet possibly struck his femoral artery. The victim, Branndon Stark, age 32 was flown from the scene by Air Rescue to Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont and was reported to be in surgery with a serious gunshot wound.

According to Rowles, deputies found a large amount of methamphetamine inside the home, and arrested a man and a woman.

The name of the white male suspect and the white female is not yet being released, pending arraignment.