September 10, 2015 Aledo Barricaded Suspect

SEPTEMBER 10, 2015.

PRESS RELEASE

A barricaded suspect took his own life Wednesday evening in Aledo after Weatherford-Parker County Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team (FAST) attempted to serve multiple warrants on the man.

The suspect was identified as Chester Lee Martin, 54, a known child sexual predator, who had 16 active warrants for charges of failure to appear stemming from possession of child pornography and possession with intent to promote child pornography warrants.

FAST members located the suspect around 4 p.m., in the 1100 block of Becky Drive. Once FAST members made entry to the residence, they located Martin in a hall. Martin displayed a handgun, threatening to “Shoot the first officer that comes through the door,” as he barricaded himself behind the door of a room in the residence. FAST members backed out of the home for officer safety, and contacted the Weatherford-Parker County Special Operations Group (SOG) to make the scene.

SOG members secured the perimeter of the home, while assistance was provided by U.S. Marshals, Weatherford Police, Texas Department of Public Safety, Aledo ISD Police and Willow Park Police for traffic control and evacuating homes near the incident as a safety precaution.

SOG members made contact by phone and began negotiations with Martin to surrender himself. Martin told negotiators that had a 9 mm Taurus handgun in his possession. Negotiations lasted throughout the night while SOG members deployed tear gas after Martin made it known that he had no intentions of surrendering himself and refused to exit the home peacefully.

Fort Worth Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit arrived on scene about midnight to relieve Parker County SOG members. Negotiations with the suspect continued for several hours, while traffic was maintained by assisting agencies throughout the evening. Around 3:30 a.m., Fort Worth SWAT confirmed Martin had died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

“The Fort Worth SWAT Team assisted us in a tremendous way,” Sheriff Fowler said. “We want to extend our gratitude to their unit for the help they provided. We are very appreciative of the assistance we received from all agencies.”

The Texas Rangers were requested to conduct the death investigation along with Parker County Sheriff’s Criminal Investigations Division.