A man was recently apprehended after discharging an AR-15 rifle in the vicinity of the Houston County Sheriff's Office. Clifford Heniser, a 34-year-old from Lovelady, Texas, is accused of impersonating a federal agent, among other charges, as reported by Click2Houston. The incident unfolded yesterday morning when Heniser entered the sheriff's office lobby, with claims of federal authority and intent to inspect records.
Heniser, after being told by a dispatcher that a deputy would soon arrive, returned to the scene having left with an AR-15 rifle. While dispatchers took cover and sought assistance, he fired about 30 rounds into the air outside the station, prompting a swift law enforcement response. KHOU reports capturing footage of the shooting, Heniser was eventually taken into custody in the parking lot.
Subsequently, Heniser was arrested and found with a Colt pistol, additional magazines, and a substantial cache of ammunition varying from 300 to 500 rounds in his truck. The charges against him include unlawful carrying of a weapon by a felon, impersonating an officer, criminal trespass, and deadly conduct. Click2Houston notes that Heniser laid down his rifle and was taken into custody without further incident when confronted by officers from Crockett PD and the Texas Highway Patrol, alongside a trooper.
Following the ordeal, the Houston County Sheriff's Office has taken measures to reinforce their security protocols. Revealed by KHOU, the lobby doors to the sheriff's office will now close at 5 p.m. daily, reopening at 8 a.m., with extended closures over the weekends. Analyzing the security lapses that the shooting highlighted, adjustments are currently being considered.
Fortunately, the confrontation did not result in injuries. The Crockett PD is spearheading the investigation, backed by state and federal agencies including the ATF and FBI. Heniser is set to be transferred to another county magistrate as a security precaution, as detailed in a statement by the Houston County Sheriff's Office obtained by Click2Houston.
