Dewayne Curtis Lafond, 45

Refugio, Texas
April 07, 2020

Agencies: Bee County Sheriff's Office Texas | Beeville Police Department Texas | Refugio County Sheriff's Office Texas | Refugio Police Department Texas | Texas Department of Public Safety

Cause of death: Shooting

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Last updated: almost 4 years ago

Overview

45 year-old Dewayne Curtis Lafond was shot and killed by Refugio police after a standoff spanning nearly 17 hours.

The incident, which began  shortly before 2:30 a.m. April 7, took place on Depot Street not far from the Stripes convenience store in Refugio and involved a female hostage.

Officers with the Refugio Police Department, Refugio County Sheriff’s Office, Beeville Police Department, Bee County Sheriff’s Office and Texas Department of Public Safety all responded to the standoff.

At about 7:30 p.m., “Texas DPS Special Response teams tactically approached the residence and made entry resulting in an officer-involved shooting where Lafond was fatally shot. The victim was safely extracted and was unharmed. The active investigation is being handled by the Texas Rangers,” said Refugio Police Chief Enrique Diaz Jr.

The first call to law enforcement was received at 2:26 a.m. by Refugio County Sheriff’s Office Communications when a woman called 9-1-1 and said there was a man with a gun inside her house at 109 E. Depot St.

About a minute later, law enforcement received a second call from a neighbor who reported hearing several gunshots.

Quickly responding to the call were Refugio Sheriff’s deputies James Longoria and Sgt. Jeff Raymond and Refugio Police Officer Tammy Gregory.

Officers noticed the door to the house was open, went inside and announced their presence to those inside, according to a Refugio Police report.

“Responding officers then heard a male subject’s voice say something to the extent of ‘if you come any closer, I will shoot her’,” Diaz said. “Officers retreated from the front area of the residence and took cover behind a vehicle parked in the driveway. Officers reported to communications that they had a hostage situation.”

Shortly thereafter, police at the scene notified Chief Diaz, who went to the scene.

Lafond had barricaded himself inside, Diaz said, so officers contained the area and evacuated nearby residents for their safety.

At that point, other police agencies were contacted to help respond to the situation.

“Texas DPS hostage negotiators attempted to negotiate with Lafond aiming for a peaceful resolution which was unsuccessful,” Diaz said