CISD schools on lockdown due to outside threat

Cameron schools were put on a soft lockdown on the afternoon of Oct. 4 following a threat against a location on 15th Street in Cameron.

Milam County Sheriff Chris White said that on Oct. 4 at around 2:30 p.m. the Milam County Sheriff’s Office was made aware of a shooting that had occurred in Bell County and the suspect made threats against two locations in Milam County.

Bell County deputies advised the suspect, 34-year-old Jason Earl Merritt, had shot 27-year-old Jeremy Elmore of Georgetown in the head and then fled the scene in the direction of Milam County. 

White said the suspect had indicated that he would commit further acts of violence towards other persons in Milam County.  Two locations were named, which included a location in the 17700 block of North FM 486 and another location on 15th Street in Cameron. 

Deputies and Texas Highway Patrol Troopers made contact with residents at the location of the threat in the county, and Cameron Police went to the 15th Street location.

Due to the proximity of the threat made against the 15th Street location, CISD school administrators decided to place the schools on a soft lockdown until further information could be obtained.  

White said Cameron Police and additional deputies along with the CISD School Resource Deputy patrolled the areas to ensure the safety of the schools while the search was underway for the suspect. 

White said about 4 p.m. Deputy Law located the suspect traveling north on FM 486 in a white vehicle. Deputies tried to stop the vehicle near the Oak Club, however the suspect continued to travel to the address in the 17700 block of FM 486.  

After stopping at that location, Milam County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Texas Highway Patrol attempted for over 30 minutes to have the subject exit the vehicle peacefully. These attempts were repeated for over 30 minutes however the suspect refused to cooperate or obey any commands.  

The incident came to a close when Merritt shot himself in the head at approximately 4:34 p.m.  

Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace Gary Northcott arrived and conducted an inquest and the body was then released to Marek-Burns-Laywell Funeral Home. 

“I would like to note that the performance of my deputies was amazing,” White said. “The situation went from a simple BOLO, to a rapidly evolving and extremely dangerous situation in a matter of a few minutes. I am proud of the way all aspects of the incident were handled, from the watchfulness of the deputies who noticed the suspect drive by, to our school resource deputy who followed and then re-routed the school bus that drops children off on FM 486, to deputies from our Jail Transport Division who were able to make-ready the armored vehicle and drive it to the location of the incident.  It was extremely reassuring to see the professionalism and quick response of my deputies in action.”