CBS 19 - The Eye of East Texas News - Police still investigating early morning Whataburger shootout

Police still investigating early morning Whataburger shootout

Tyler Police are still following leads after an early morning shootout close to the Whataburger in the 1900 block of West Gentry.

According to witnesses at the scene of the incident, a large crowd of subjects were hanging out in the parking lots of a small strip retail center across the street from Whataburger.  The suspects identified as Sa'Cajan Jamay Darden, 21, of Tyler and Katyron Jermine Barrett, 24, of Tyler, exchanged gun fire in the parking lot of the retail strip center. Several rounds were fired and one of the rounds traveled across Gentry Pkwy. striking an occupied vehicle in the Whataburger parking lot.

Two law enforcement officers from Cherokee County were working a security detail at Whataburger at the time of the shooting.  They are identified as Cherokee County Precinct 4 Constable Jamie Beene and Deputy Sheriff Allen Langston of the Cherokee County Sheriff's Department.

Upon hearing the gunshots across the street, Constable Beene ran to the scene of where the shots were fired.  Darden fled on foot towards Parkdale Street with Constable Beene in foot pursuit.  During the foot chase, Darden refused verbal commands to stop for police and pointed his handgun at Constable Beene.  After being threatened, the Constable fired his weapon at Darden during the foot pursuit.  Tyler Police officers assisted Constable Beene with apprehending Darden as he attempted to climb over the fence of a residence in the 2200 block of Woodlawn. 

Upon searching Darden, it was determined he had been shot both in the shoulder and abdomen.  Officers also discovered a handgun in the back yard of the residence where Darden was arrested.  Darden was transported to East Texas Medical Center for treatment and was later released to Tyler Police.  He was booked into the Smith County Jail for Aggravated Assault on a Public Officer.

Katyron Barrett, who was also involved in the shooting, showed up at Trinity Mother Frances Hospital by private vehicle with a gunshot wound to the right leg.  Barrett was treated, released and then arrested on two outstanding City of Tyler traffic warrants.  Barrett has not been charged with any other crimes related to this incident at this time. 

Investigators would like to talk with anyone else who observed the shooting or who has information related to this incident.  Please contact the Criminal Investigation Division at 903-531-1087 or  Crimestoppers, at 903-597-CUFF (903-597-2833).