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| Texas shootings: Kaufman County shaken to its core as mystery remains | Texas shootings: Kaufman County shaken to its core as mystery remains |
| (8 days later) | |
| Inside Sunnyvale First Baptist Church, the eulogies veered between warm nostalgia and defiant anger. Outside, the roof bristled with police snipers and dozens of cars patrolled the parking lot. The killings of Mike and Cynthia McLelland, the county's chief prosecutor and his wife, shocked the region and felt like an attack on Texas itself. | Inside Sunnyvale First Baptist Church, the eulogies veered between warm nostalgia and defiant anger. Outside, the roof bristled with police snipers and dozens of cars patrolled the parking lot. The killings of Mike and Cynthia McLelland, the county's chief prosecutor and his wife, shocked the region and felt like an attack on Texas itself. |
| The show of force was designed to make the estimated 700 mourners at Thursday's memorial service feel secure, but it also acted as a reminder of the continuing uncertainty about the identity and intentions of whoever committed the crimes. | The show of force was designed to make the estimated 700 mourners at Thursday's memorial service feel secure, but it also acted as a reminder of the continuing uncertainty about the identity and intentions of whoever committed the crimes. |
| McLelland, 63, Kaufman County's district attorney, was shot dead along with his wife in their home last Saturday. The killings came two months after his assistant, Mark Hasse, was gunned down near the courthouse. Their funerals were due to be held on Friday. | McLelland, 63, Kaufman County's district attorney, was shot dead along with his wife in their home last Saturday. The killings came two months after his assistant, Mark Hasse, was gunned down near the courthouse. Their funerals were due to be held on Friday. |
| Earlier on Thursday, Texas governor Rick Perry held a press conference in the Kaufman County courthouse and pledged to catch the perpetrators. "We're going to hunt you down. We're going to punish you," Perry said. "We will not let this cower us. Texas is a law-and-order state and we will track down and punish those who have committed this crime." | Earlier on Thursday, Texas governor Rick Perry held a press conference in the Kaufman County courthouse and pledged to catch the perpetrators. "We're going to hunt you down. We're going to punish you," Perry said. "We will not let this cower us. Texas is a law-and-order state and we will track down and punish those who have committed this crime." |
| Perry was flanked by two dozen officials from various law-enforcement bodies. But despite the governor's characteristic swagger and the immense resources devoted to the investigation, there appear to be no firm leads, no suspects or even a concrete motive. The reward for information leading to an arrest and indictment has been doubled to $200,000 and Perry, pictured, and others appealed to the public for tips. A billboard campaign is planned. | Perry was flanked by two dozen officials from various law-enforcement bodies. But despite the governor's characteristic swagger and the immense resources devoted to the investigation, there appear to be no firm leads, no suspects or even a concrete motive. The reward for information leading to an arrest and indictment has been doubled to $200,000 and Perry, pictured, and others appealed to the public for tips. A billboard campaign is planned. |
| The McLellands were killed at their home on a modern, middle-class housing estate near Forney, an expanding commuter town 21 miles from downtown Dallas. Forney is in the north-west corner of Kaufman County, a large but sparsely-populated rural area south-east of Dallas. Travelling towards the middle of the county, busy suburbia quickly melts into rolling farmland and ramshackle homes. | The McLellands were killed at their home on a modern, middle-class housing estate near Forney, an expanding commuter town 21 miles from downtown Dallas. Forney is in the north-west corner of Kaufman County, a large but sparsely-populated rural area south-east of Dallas. Travelling towards the middle of the county, busy suburbia quickly melts into rolling farmland and ramshackle homes. |
| Kaufman, population 7,000, is standard small-town Texas, with grand sports facilities and dowdy strip malls clogging the sides of the arterial routes leading to the heart of the community, a venerable square with the courthouse at its centre. "It's a good place to live. Very safe. Still very safe," said Justin Lewis, of the local sheriff's office. Less so than it used to be, though. | Kaufman, population 7,000, is standard small-town Texas, with grand sports facilities and dowdy strip malls clogging the sides of the arterial routes leading to the heart of the community, a venerable square with the courthouse at its centre. "It's a good place to live. Very safe. Still very safe," said Justin Lewis, of the local sheriff's office. Less so than it used to be, though. |
| Approaching from the south, the sign outside the First Assembly of God church has a request: "Please pray for God's protection over our county employees." Behind the counter at the Circle K store is a memento of McLelland's hardline public stance: a poster with a handcuffs graphic and the breathless warning, "Write a hot check go to jail! Mike McLelland criminal justice attorney." | Approaching from the south, the sign outside the First Assembly of God church has a request: "Please pray for God's protection over our county employees." Behind the counter at the Circle K store is a memento of McLelland's hardline public stance: a poster with a handcuffs graphic and the breathless warning, "Write a hot check go to jail! Mike McLelland criminal justice attorney." |
| Ever-present police scan passers-by, and have escorted employees even short distances to and from the courthouse this week. Hasse was shot dead in a nearby parking lot as he arrived for work. | Ever-present police scan passers-by, and have escorted employees even short distances to and from the courthouse this week. Hasse was shot dead in a nearby parking lot as he arrived for work. |
| Authorities are examining the possibility of a link between the 57-year-old's death and last month's murder of Tom Clements, the Colorado prisons chief. The suspect, Evan Ebel, reportedly had ties to the 211 Crew, a white supremacist gang. Ebel died in a shoot-out with police in north Texas on March 21. | Authorities are examining the possibility of a link between the 57-year-old's death and last month's murder of Tom Clements, the Colorado prisons chief. The suspect, Evan Ebel, reportedly had ties to the 211 Crew, a white supremacist gang. Ebel died in a shoot-out with police in north Texas on March 21. |
| McLelland's office was involved in a multi-agency racketeering investigation of the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas (ABT), which led to the indictment of more than 30 alleged members of the gang last year. Some are charged with crimes including murder, kidnapping, assault and drug offences. On the day Hasse died, two pleaded guilty in a Houston court to racketeering. | McLelland's office was involved in a multi-agency racketeering investigation of the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas (ABT), which led to the indictment of more than 30 alleged members of the gang last year. Some are charged with crimes including murder, kidnapping, assault and drug offences. On the day Hasse died, two pleaded guilty in a Houston court to racketeering. |
| All the accused men have aliases, among them "Ruthless", "Dirty", "Chopper" and "Big Nasty". The indictment claims that when a member refused an order in 2010, others punished him by using a blowtorch to burn off an ABT tattoo. It also alleges that a leader ordered gangsters to murder a recruit, make it "as messy as possible" and remove a finger as a trophy. | All the accused men have aliases, among them "Ruthless", "Dirty", "Chopper" and "Big Nasty". The indictment claims that when a member refused an order in 2010, others punished him by using a blowtorch to burn off an ABT tattoo. It also alleges that a leader ordered gangsters to murder a recruit, make it "as messy as possible" and remove a finger as a trophy. |
| The Los Angeles Times reported this week that a federal prosecutor withdrew from the racketeering case on Tuesday, apparently fearing for his safety. In December the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) reportedly issued a warning that the ABT was planning reprisals against law enforcement officials after the rash of arrests. | The Los Angeles Times reported this week that a federal prosecutor withdrew from the racketeering case on Tuesday, apparently fearing for his safety. In December the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) reportedly issued a warning that the ABT was planning reprisals against law enforcement officials after the rash of arrests. |
| The ripple effect is being felt throughout Texas as law enforcement officials examine how best to ensure the safety of prosecutors. Following Clements' death, McLelland said in an interview with the Associated Press that he no longer went outside without a gun and thought it possible that Hasse was killed by white supremacists. | The ripple effect is being felt throughout Texas as law enforcement officials examine how best to ensure the safety of prosecutors. Following Clements' death, McLelland said in an interview with the Associated Press that he no longer went outside without a gun and thought it possible that Hasse was killed by white supremacists. |
| Whatever the truth behind the tragedies, they are shining a spotlight on Texas' gang problems. The newly-released DPS Gang Threat Assessment for 2012 states that there are more than 2,500 gangs and potentially more than 100,000 gang members in Texas. It cites a 2011 National Gang Intelligence Center estimate of 1.4 million gang members nationwide, a 40% increase from 2009. | Whatever the truth behind the tragedies, they are shining a spotlight on Texas' gang problems. The newly-released DPS Gang Threat Assessment for 2012 states that there are more than 2,500 gangs and potentially more than 100,000 gang members in Texas. It cites a 2011 National Gang Intelligence Center estimate of 1.4 million gang members nationwide, a 40% increase from 2009. |
| According to the report, Tango Blast has an estimated 10,000 members and has overtaken the Mexican Mafia to become the state's biggest threat. But the ABT has risen from eighth to fifth place in the rankings: "This change is due to several factors, including the gang's large membership numbers and consistent level of violence and other criminal activity. Some information regarding the gang's relationship with cartels continues to be reported." | According to the report, Tango Blast has an estimated 10,000 members and has overtaken the Mexican Mafia to become the state's biggest threat. But the ABT has risen from eighth to fifth place in the rankings: "This change is due to several factors, including the gang's large membership numbers and consistent level of violence and other criminal activity. Some information regarding the gang's relationship with cartels continues to be reported." |
| The bulletin offers a gloomy prediction: "Mexican drug cartels will fight to maintain or increase their share of the lucrative drug and human smuggling markets. Texas-based gangs will continue to play an essential role in supporting cartel operations on both sides of the border, and the cartels will likely seek to expand their existing networks in Texas by leveraging the gangs." | The bulletin offers a gloomy prediction: "Mexican drug cartels will fight to maintain or increase their share of the lucrative drug and human smuggling markets. Texas-based gangs will continue to play an essential role in supporting cartel operations on both sides of the border, and the cartels will likely seek to expand their existing networks in Texas by leveraging the gangs." |
| It seems counterproductive for a gang to commit crimes that attract plenty of attention and turn them into a prime target for law enforcement. | It seems counterproductive for a gang to commit crimes that attract plenty of attention and turn them into a prime target for law enforcement. |
| "We don't know for sure [who carried out the Kaufman County killings]. It certainly ups the ante in terms of their activities but it just seems counter to what these groups would want to accomplish," said Dr James Marquart, professor of criminology at the University of Texas at Dallas. "It seems to me that it's the last thing any of these groups would want to do." | "We don't know for sure [who carried out the Kaufman County killings]. It certainly ups the ante in terms of their activities but it just seems counter to what these groups would want to accomplish," said Dr James Marquart, professor of criminology at the University of Texas at Dallas. "It seems to me that it's the last thing any of these groups would want to do." |
| Marquart is a former sergeant in the Texas Department of Corrections. He said that gang members have the capacity to harm society whether they are behind bars or at liberty and the organisations simply re-stock if they lose a member. "The prison is the community and the community is the prison. Going to prison is just another aspect of the criminal lifestyle," he said. | Marquart is a former sergeant in the Texas Department of Corrections. He said that gang members have the capacity to harm society whether they are behind bars or at liberty and the organisations simply re-stock if they lose a member. "The prison is the community and the community is the prison. Going to prison is just another aspect of the criminal lifestyle," he said. |
| "Distance is really not an issue, or borders. There are parallels with the war on terror. You eliminate the leader, or sub-leaders, and there's somebody behind them who wants to fill their shoes." | "Distance is really not an issue, or borders. There are parallels with the war on terror. You eliminate the leader, or sub-leaders, and there's somebody behind them who wants to fill their shoes." |
| Bruce Ferrell, the president of the National Alliance of Gang Investigators Associations, thinks it is plausible that the murders were carried out by a gang such as the ABT given the context of evolving tactics and co-operation with Mexican cartels. | Bruce Ferrell, the president of the National Alliance of Gang Investigators Associations, thinks it is plausible that the murders were carried out by a gang such as the ABT given the context of evolving tactics and co-operation with Mexican cartels. |
| "I don't know anybody can say it's outside the scope ... if they want to send a message. They might be doing business for another prison gang," he said, "to provide credibility within the Department of Corrections, that they're a force to be reckoned with." | "I don't know anybody can say it's outside the scope ... if they want to send a message. They might be doing business for another prison gang," he said, "to provide credibility within the Department of Corrections, that they're a force to be reckoned with." |
| On Wednesday, Perry used an appearance on Fox News to criticise the federal government for not doing more to secure the frontier with Mexico. The Guardian reported last month that success in tightening illegal crossings in Arizona is prompting the drug cartels to seek passage through Texas more often. | On Wednesday, Perry used an appearance on Fox News to criticise the federal government for not doing more to secure the frontier with Mexico. The Guardian reported last month that success in tightening illegal crossings in Arizona is prompting the drug cartels to seek passage through Texas more often. |
| Only about 100,000 people live in Kaufman County, but there have been several notable drug busts in recent years. Four people were arrested in December, 2011, when police found methamphetamine with an estimated street value of $250,000 in a hotel room in the northern town of Terrell. | Only about 100,000 people live in Kaufman County, but there have been several notable drug busts in recent years. Four people were arrested in December, 2011, when police found methamphetamine with an estimated street value of $250,000 in a hotel room in the northern town of Terrell. |
| "We've had cartels operating in the US for a long time. They're becoming more active," said Ferrell. He argues that Mexican criminal organisations are increasingly embedded in the US, with supervisors based north of the border when previously they would make occasional visits. | "We've had cartels operating in the US for a long time. They're becoming more active," said Ferrell. He argues that Mexican criminal organisations are increasingly embedded in the US, with supervisors based north of the border when previously they would make occasional visits. |
| "They have people coming to the US to run operations instead of the middle men. Now they're putting people in place and staying. Or recruiting people within the US. Their business model is evolving," he said. | "They have people coming to the US to run operations instead of the middle men. Now they're putting people in place and staying. Or recruiting people within the US. Their business model is evolving," he said. |
| Brandi Fernandez will serve as the interim district attorney until Perry chooses a successor. She insisted that the daily process of catching, processing and punishing Kaufman County's law-breakers continues as normal, but that life without the McLellands is a shock to the system. | Brandi Fernandez will serve as the interim district attorney until Perry chooses a successor. She insisted that the daily process of catching, processing and punishing Kaufman County's law-breakers continues as normal, but that life without the McLellands is a shock to the system. |
| "I still kind of keep expecting him to walk through with a plate of cookies that she had cooked for us," she said. | "I still kind of keep expecting him to walk through with a plate of cookies that she had cooked for us," she said. |
| • This article was amended on 9 April 2013 to correct the name of Mike McLelland. Some parts of the original misspelled his surname as McLennan. | • This article was amended on 9 April 2013 to correct the name of Mike McLelland. Some parts of the original misspelled his surname as McLennan. |
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