A 42-year-old man was arrested Sunday, June 1, following reports of gunfire near County Road 1143 in the Miller Grove area.
Deputies with the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office arrived at the scene and encountered Syrus Elmo Hurst acting erratically. A concealed firearm was found on Hurst during a search. He claimed individuals in white robes were pursuing him and believed he was the target of a robbery attempt. Deputies suspected he was experiencing a mental episode and detained him for safety.
Hurst admitted to firing a weapon from his front porch and stated there were additional firearms inside his residence. A search warrant was obtained and executed, leading deputies to recover multiple firearms, including a .308 rifle. Spent shell casings were located on the porch, and investigators confirmed that at least one round had reached a neighboring home.
Hurst is a convicted felon with a prior conviction for intoxication assault in 2015. He was out on parole at the time of the incident.
He was transported to the Hopkins County Jail in Sulphur Springs and charged with:
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Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by Felon
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Deadly Conduct Discharge Firearm
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Parole Violation
Bond was set at $60,000. Hurst will undergo a mental health evaluation and faces substantial prison time if convicted.
