Suspect in shooting that left woman dead in Smith County home in custody, identified

SMITH COUNTY, Texas (KLTV) - The Smith County Sheriff’s Office has taken the suspect in a shooting into custody following a manhunt.

“We received a call from UT Health EMS, they were on location with a deceased female subject with a gunshot wound,” said Larry Christian, a sergeant with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office. “Upon the deputies arrival, they were able to quickly determine this was a homicide. The suspect identity was obtained by the deputies and they immediately put out the description of the suspect vehicle. Within 30 minutes, Tyler PD had located the suspect vehicle.”

Christian said the vehicle had been involved in a single-vehicle wreck and was flipped on it’s side when deputies found it. " The suspect had apparently fled the scene of the crash and left on foot,” said Christian.

According to Christian, Smith County deputies and investigators immediately began searching for the suspect, while other investigators were on the scene of the homicide with crime scene units. He said they searched for the suspect all day long.

On Sunday afternoon, Smith County investigators were able to speak by phone with the suspect in the fatal shooting that occurred on Sunday morning.

After negotiation with the suspect, he agreed to turn himself in at a home located on N. Confederate in Tyler. Investigators and deputies met him at the location and he was taken into custody. He is identified as Catalino Marin, Jr, 21. Marin was transported to the Smith County Sheriff’s Office.

The victim has been identified as Diamond Samantha Cruz, 21, of Tyler. Pct. 4 Justice of the Peace Mitch Shamburger arrived at the scene for the inquest and ordered an autopsy.

Cruz was a mother of two and Christian said the children’s safety was of the utmost importance.

“That was an immediate priority, obviously, this morning,” said Christian. “To make sure the children were safe and they were in fact safe with other family members.”

Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace, Mitch Shamburger, arrived at the scene for the inquest and ordered an autopsy. The deceased was transported to Forensic Medical in Tyler.

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An investigation is underway after a woman was found shot to death inside a residence early Sunday morning in Smith County.

Authorities are searching for the suspect connected to the shooting incident.

Around 5:40 a.m., Smith County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the 8700 block of County Road 384 for reports of a person with a gunshot wound.

When deputies arrived on scene, they located a woman with at least one gunshot wound.

Investigators on scene say she was pronounced dead on the scene. It's unclear how many shots were fired.

At this time, the suspect’s and victim’s names have not been released.

Officials confirmed the suspect fled from the scene in a truck and wrecked out at the intersection of East Commerce St. and McMurrey St, nearly two miles away from the shooting scene and fled on foot.

Authorities say the suspect should be considered armed and dangerous.

Law enforcement is using drones to assist them in their search. Tyler Police and DPS are also assisting in the search.

Stay with KLTV and KLTV.com for updates.

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