On Friday, June 30th, 2023, at approximately 9:17 a.m., the Royse City Police Department received a distressing 911 call reporting an active shooter situation at the Royse City Medical Lodge, a facility that houses a rehab center and nursing home. The initial report indicated that shots had been fired and at least one person had been injured.
In immediate response to the call, officers swiftly arrived at the scene and were directed to a hallway within the facility where the shooter was reportedly located. Conducting a thorough search of the rooms, officers received assistance from a patient who guided them to a room at the end of the hallway, where the suspect was believed to be hiding.
Encountering a barricaded door obstructed by furniture, the officers employed necessary force to gain entry into the room. Upon entry, they discovered the suspect, identified as Sarah M. Carter, a 55-year-old Black female from Lancaster, TX. Present in the room were two patients who were unharmed during the incident. The officers took the suspect into custody without any resistance.
During the investigation, law enforcement recovered a SKS assault rifle from the room where the suspect had been located. Remarkably, despite the initial reports suggesting injuries, it was ultimately determined that no one within the facility had been harmed.
Sarah M. Carter has been charged with 5 counts of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon and has been transported to the Rockwall County Jail. The Royse City Police Department continues to investigate the incident, and it remains possible that additional charges will be filed against the suspect as the investigation progresses.
The Royse City Police Department received valuable support from the Rockwall Police Department, the Fate Department of Public Safety, and the Rockwall County Sheriff's Office throughout the incident. Their collaborative efforts and prompt response contributed to the successful resolution of the situation and the safety of all those present.
