Another case of gun violence in America rocked small rural Travis County, Texas in the early morning hours on Monday. At 1:32 a.m., the Travis County Sheriff’s Department arrived on the scene, but they were too late. Longtime Texas Sheriff’s Deputy Sergeant Craig Hutchinson was found shot to death outside of his shed.
Hutchinson was gunned down in his own yard by unknown assailants who are thought to have been attempting to rob his home.
Just ten minutes before colleagues found him, Sgt. Hutchinson had arrived home from his shift for the day and immediately radioed back to the station that there were intruders in his yard.
Hutchinson is considered to be killed in the line of duty since his radio transmission officially put him back on the clock.
Travis County Sheriff Greg Hamilton stated:
“Our officer came up on them and found individuals in his shed and I think that’s when the confrontation occurred. At this time we don’t have any more information.”
Sgt. Hutchinson leaves behind a wife, five children, and three grandchildren. He was murdered just one month before he had planned to retire. Sheriff Hamilton spoke kindly about Sgt. Hutchinson, saying:
“This guy was a big teddy bear, and everybody loved him. He was a gentle bear, and he taught me everything I know, and I loved that guy to death.”
The Sheriff’s office is still on the hunt for the two robbery — now murder — suspects.
On the cusp of a very tumultuous election, gun violence is one of the hottest topics being discussed. Our 2nd Amendment, which gives us the right to bear arms, is something Republicans are shoving down our throats, and their biggest argument is that so many shootings could be avoided if everyone carried a weapon. The “good guy with a gun” argument.
Sgt. Hutchinson has now become a statistical example of how owning a gun will not necessarily save your life in these dangerous situations. He was a man who most likely owned several weapons, with his service weapon within reach at the time of his death, and had 32 years of experience in quickly drawing his weapon when needed. Even with all of this, he still stood no chance against two armed robbers in his own backyard.
It’s impossible for conservatives to comprehend that stricter gun laws, and better carrying laws, could have very likely saved Sgt. Hutchinson’s life.
As more and more gun violence emerges, who will the Republicans start to blame when the hands that the blood covers are their own?
This is a horrible tragedy. An honorable servant for good was slaughtered because of our loose gun laws.
Featured Image Via Austin Chronicle
