A quiet early Monday in Hemphill turned chaotic when a man allegedly opened fire at a customer in the Sabine State Bank drive‑thru, then later pointed a long gun at deputies and a school district police chief, according to authorities. No injuries were reported in any of the encounters, and the suspect was booked into the Sabine County Jail.
What Happened
Sabine County deputies received a call around 3 a.m. from a resident who reported that a man with a long gun had fired at him while he was in the bank’s drive‑thru, as reported by WOAI. When deputies arrived, they encountered a man who, according to investigators, snuck up on a marked patrol unit and aimed a long gun at the deputy inside. The deputy took cover, and the man ran off into the surrounding area.
The Sabine State Bank lists its Hemphill branch at 425 Sabine Street, which investigators say is the location from which that initial call originated.
Officer Encounters and School Response
As the situation unfolded, the Hemphill ISD police chief was driving to secure school grounds when he spotted the same man walking along Texas 87 North near a lumber store, WOAI reported. The chief made contact, and the suspect allegedly raised a rifle toward the marked police vehicle, prompting the chief to fire a single round. The man then ran into a wooded area.
Deputies quickly set up a perimeter, searched the woods and eventually took the suspect into custody without anyone being hurt. The Sheriff’s Office told WOAI that “there are several crime scenes being processed at this time” and that the school campus was not in danger.
Charges and Legal Context
Authorities identified the suspect as 25‑year‑old Kenneth Robert Judah of Hemphill. He was booked on one count of aggravated assault and two counts of aggravated assault on a peace officer, with bond listed as pending.
Under Texas law, aggravated assault is defined in the statute discussed by Casemine, and it can be prosecuted as a felony with enhanced penalties when the alleged victim is a public servant or peace officer. The case will proceed through Sabine County’s criminal justice system as investigators continue to develop the record.
Investigation Continues
Sabine County deputies say they will maintain extra patrols in and around Hemphill while officers process multiple crime scenes and follow up on leads. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sabine County Sheriff’s Office, whose contact details are listed on the county website. The Sheriff’s Office has said it does not believe the wider community is at risk while investigators remain active on the case.
