ROBERTSON COUNTY, Texas (KBTX) – Robertson County Sheriff Bill Ruland says a series of escalating threats, tied to a shooting in another community earlier this month, led to the decision to cancel the permits this past weekend for the 14th Annual Texas Trail Ride.
According to a press release from the Robertson County Sheriff’s Office on Monday, the agency first received intelligence on Aug. 11 from another law enforcement agency about a threat in the form of a shooting.
That threat was described as retaliation for a separate shooting on Aug. 8 that resulted in one death and several people wounded.
Timeline of events leading to permit pulledAug. 8 — A shooting in another jurisdiction leaves one person dead and several wounded.Aug. 11 — The Robertson County Sheriff’s Office receives intelligence from another law enforcement agency about a threat, described as retaliation for the Aug. 8 shooting, targeting the Texas Trail Ride.Aug. 15, overnight — Two additional shootings occur that investigators from other law enforcement agencies say are related to the Aug. 8 incident. No injuries are reported in either of the new shootings.Aug. 15, approximately 12:30 p.m. — The Robertson County Sheriff’s Office is notified that threats of retaliation have increased following the two new shootings.Aug. 15, following the briefing — Sheriff Ruland meets with the Robertson County Judge, and the two decide to rescind the permits for the Texas Trail Ride, scheduled for that day in unincorporated Robertson County.
Ruland said rescinding the permits was the most prudent step to protect the community and minimize the risk of a mass-casualty event.
“In no way is this a reflection on the producers of the Texas Trail Ride,” Ruland said. “They have always conducted their trail rides in a safe and proper manner.”
Ruland said the safety and security of everyone in Robertson County remains the sheriff’s office’s top priority.
“It is essential that we respond to threats to life swiftly and decisively to mitigate those threats,” Ruland said.
No further details about the specific nature or origin of the threats have been released.
Although Robertson County did not say specifically where the shootings happened that led up to the threats and permit being pulled, KBTX has reported on events that match the timeline and descriptions shared by Sheriff Ruland.
On August 8th, a 14-year-old was killed and three others injured during a shooting on the city’s west side during a block party event.
Bryan police also confirmed an Aug. 15 shooting that resulted in a home and vehicle being damaged. Police in Bryan said they were looking into whether this shooting was linked to the August 8th homicide.
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