A late-night fire under the Trinity River bridge in Chambers County turned into a multi-county mystery Sunday, after deputies found a burning pickup with human remains inside that matched the description of a truck stolen in a Sabine County shooting just hours earlier. Detectives in both counties are now working together to untangle how the two crime scenes connect.
According to a statement reported by Click2Houston, Chambers County deputies were dispatched to the Trinity River bridge around 10:05 p.m. Sunday. When they arrived, they found a 1990s-model pickup on fire under the bridge and discovered human remains in the passenger compartment. The sheriff’s office opened a death investigation and said its criminal investigations unit is coordinating closely with Sabine County detectives as evidence is collected and processed.
Truck matches description from Sabine County shooting
Earlier that evening in Sabine County, deputies shared that witnesses reported a man shot 43-year-old Cody Thompson of Burkeville while Thompson sat in his truck on Bronson Cemetery Road, then drove away in the same vehicle, according to KTRE. The truck was described as a 1990s Chevrolet extended-cab pickup with primer on the passenger side, Bondo on the roof above the passenger door and a bright yellow spray-painted tailgate. Chambers County investigators later said those details matched the burned pickup recovered under the Trinity River bridge.
Suspect taken into custody in Oklahoma
Sabine County deputies had identified 36-year-old Todd Stevens of Bronson as the suspect in the shooting and cautioned the public that he was considered armed and dangerous, according to the original notice. Updated reporting indicates Stevens was taken into custody Monday evening in Oklahoma and will stay there while extradition proceedings move forward, Click2Houston reported.
Legal next steps
Authorities said Stevens has active felony warrants for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon tied to the Sabine County shooting and that he is expected to face additional charges in Chambers County as the investigation develops. Officials also noted those charges could be upgraded after detectives finish reviewing forensic evidence, according to reporting by MyTexasDaily. Investigators are asking anyone with information about Stevens or what unfolded Sunday night to contact the Sabine County Sheriff’s Office or the Chambers County Criminal Investigations Division.
