Armed Felon Arrested After Gunfire Incident in Hopkins County

HOPKINS COUNTY, TX – A man already on parole was taken into custody on June 1, 2025, after deputies responded to reports of shots fired and erratic behavior near County Road 1143.

Syrus Elmo Hurst, 42, was arrested by the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office after deputies located him in possession of multiple firearms, including a concealed handgun tucked in his waistband. Deputies responded to a 911 call from a neighbor reporting that Hurst was shooting at people in white robes, which were not observed by responding officers.

Upon arrival, Hurst claimed he was being pursued by individuals in white robes and believed he was being targeted for robbery. Deputies noted signs of a mental episode and detained Hurst for safety.

Hurst admitted to firing from his front porch and indicated additional weapons were inside his residence. A search warrant was executed, and deputies found multiple firearms, including a .308 rifle, and evidence of spent shell casings on the porch. They determined that at least one of the rounds fired from Hurst’s location reached a neighboring residence, approximately 1,170 feet away.

Hurst, who is a convicted felon, was on parole at the time of the incident. He was arrested and charged with Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon and Deadly Conduct, both felony-level offenses.

He was booked into the Hopkins County Jail without further incident. Bond information has not been made public at this time.

All subjects are innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.