TYLER — The Smith County Sheriff's Office and Tyler Police Department held a joint press conference Monday afternoon at the police department concerning the recent strings of homicides in the city.
WATCH LIVE: Smith County Sheriff's Office and Tyler PD hold joint press conference concerning recent homicides.
Officials revealed they believe the four homicides, that have occurred over the past two weeks in the Tyler area, are connected and possibly drug-related.
The first homicide was on December 7, when Mario Guzman was found dead.
There were also homicides on Dec. 9, Dec. 10. and Dec. 15.
The SCOS and the TPD, along with state and federal agencies including the Texas Rangers, FBI, ICE, DEA, ATF, U.S. Marshals and the Department of Public Safety crime lab have been working in cooperation with the investigation.
Following Sunday's shooting at Chandler Highway and South Southwest Loop 323 in Tyler, Kristian Perdomo, 25, of Tyler, was arrested. Police are interviewing Perdomo to possibly connect him to the homicides. He is currently charged with aggravated assault and being held in the Smith County Jail on $1,000,000 bond.
Sheriff Larry Smith says investigators have a "high level of confidence" Perdomo is involved in the homicides.
"I believe we have the right person in custody," said Sheriff Smith. "And we do have that high level of confidence, but we don't want to misspeak until we let the evidence speak for itself."
However, Sheriff Smith and Tyler Police Chief Jimmy Toler warned the public to remain vigilant at all times.
Once the investigation was launched, authorities made at least 15 other low-level drug-related arrests. Investigators do not believe they are involved in the homicides.
The investigation is active and authorities are awaiting forensic analysis from the DPS crime lab to possibly file more charges.
