On Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at approximately 10:47 a.m., the Colorado County Sheriff's Office received a 911 call reporting that an armed suspect had discharged a firearm in the direction of the individuals at a construction site near Columbus. The suspect then stole a construction worker's vehicle and fled the scene. While deputies were responding, additional information indicated the suspect may have been accompanied by an accomplice; however, no description of the possible accomplice was available. Responding law enforcement agencies were advised that the suspect remained on the several-hundred-acre property. A responding Texas Parks and Wildlife game warden observed the suspect driving the stolen vehicle at a high rate of speed on County Road 103 driving toward Highway 90 Alternate. The suspect subsequently crashed the vehicle into a canal and fled on foot. Deputies quickly established a perimeter, located the suspect, and took him into custody without further incident. The Colorado County Sheriff's Office deployed its unmanned aerial system (drone) to assist in the search for the reported second suspect, while awaiting additional resources, including a helicopter from the Texas Department of Public Safety and K-9 units from the Waller County Sheriff's Office. As the investigation progressed, investigators determined that the suspect, Robert Scheffel, 20, of Katy, Texas, acted alone and that no accomplices were involved. Scheffel was transported to Rice Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries sustained during the vehicle crash.
