VAN ZANDT COUNTY, Texas — A Wills Point man wanted on aggravated assault and firearm charges was arrested Friday evening after deputies used tear gas to remove him from a travel trailer where he had barricaded himself, according to the Van Zandt County Sheriff's Office.
Deputies first responded May 15, 2026, to the 600 block of Van Zandt County Road 3832 regarding a verbal disturbance in progress.
Investigators said 32-year-old John Cooper fled the scene before deputies arrived. Authorities later confirmed Cooper had multiple active warrants issued earlier that morning, including Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon.
At approximately 4:43 p.m., deputies located Cooper inside a travel trailer in the 100 block of Private Road 7039.
According to officials, deputies attempted to contact Cooper, but he refused to come out of the trailer.
Law enforcement established a perimeter around the property while Deputy and negotiator Kevin Vernon attempted to communicate with Cooper in an effort to secure a peaceful surrender.
Authorities said Cooper stopped communicating around 6:53 p.m., prompting deputies to seek a search warrant to remove him from the trailer.
After Sheriff Kevin Bridger authorized the use of CS gas, deputies deployed tear gas canisters through a trailer window at approximately 8:29 p.m.
Deputies then entered the trailer and safely took Cooper into custody without further incident, officials said.
After being medically evaluated and cleared by EMS personnel, Cooper was transported to the Van Zandt County Detention Center.
Sheriff Bridger praised deputies for their professionalism and credited the Wills Point Police Department and Officer Zachary Sherrin for assisting during the operation, including the use of drone technology for aerial monitoring.
