Monday marked for 20 years since the fatal shootout in front of Smith County's courthouse

Tyler, Texas (KLTV) – Warning: Video can be disturbing for some spectators

Echos von Schüssen, which were fired 20 years ago, continue to ring in the city center of Tyler. February 24, 2025 marked two decades since a man who wears a bulletproof vest and was armed with an AK-47, opened the fire in front of the courthouse, killed two people and four others were injured. The shooter, David Hernandez Arroyo, Sr., was later shot by the law enforcement authorities on the US Highway 271 while fled in front of the scene.

Maribel Estrada died in a legal fight against Arroyo for child support in the steps of the court building. Her eldest son David Arroyo Jr. was shot in the leg. To stop the shooter, the inhabitant of the city center, Mark Alan Wilson, pulled his own pistol to hire Arroyo, and lost his life, but probably saved Arroyo's son.

“He had no obligation not to do anything, but he saw what was going on, went into his apartment and picked up a pistol and tried to stop her. Unfortunately, he was killed, ”said Rusty Jacks, a Sergeant at the Tyler Police Department.

Law enforcement officers who responded to help research were also injured. Smith County Deputy Sherman Dollison was shot five times. He recovered, but with permanent effects, including a kidney transplant in 2017. Lt. Marlin Suell at the Smith County Sheriff's Office and the Tyler Police Department Officer Clay Perrett were treated for minor injuries.

“The first thing I heard was just a quick fire,” said lawyer Brett Harrison. “I didn't know what it was. I might think a fireworks. “

Harrison, who was the first deputy district prosecutor at the time, was at the beginning of the shootout in the courtroom of the 114th district. At that time it was one of two murder lists and first led many to believe that the shooter tried to get in.

“We all tried to find out what was best to do,” said Harrison. “Search for an escape when we needed it. We all went to the window to see if we could jump if we had to. “

One of the most important changes triggered by the shootout was the closure of the east entrance to the courthouse for the public. The law enforcement authorities have all worked to arm more MPs and civil servants with rifles to ensure that they would never be handed over again.

“It has now shaped a large part of the future of my career and even my current job,” said Jacks. “I plan active shooter training in the state and as a result of this incident I started teaching active rifle reaction.”

While the crews are now working on building a new courtyard of Smith County, the scene of the 2005 shootout will be demolished in the coming years. This will lose the memories of what happened, but the memories and feelings of those who were there will remain.

“If you notice it, I never say the name of the suspect. He does not deserve to be remembered in my personal opinion. We should remember the victims and the heroes who answered, ”said Jacks.

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