A “back-to-school giveaway” gathering in Ellis County took a violent turn over the weekend, leaving three adults hospitalized after gunfire broke out during the event.
The shooting took place during the early Sunday morning hours at 830 Batchelor Road in Red Oak. Advertised on a flyer as a family-friendly back-to-school supply drive, the day had promised giveaways, games, music, and food. However, around 1:30 a.m., deputies from the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office responded to multiple calls reporting a shooting, detailed in a recent Facebook post from the department.
When law enforcement arrived, they found three adult victims suffering from gunshot wounds. All were transported to local hospitals, and as of Tuesday morning, one victim remains in intensive care.
Authorities say the event, advertised as the “Kountry Mob Paper Trailride Extravaganza,” drew attendees from all across Texas, many of whom were not Ellis County residents. While the event allegedly began as a community-focused effort, the lack of any official management or oversight raised some red flags.
The flyer for the event listed a $20-$25 charge for an entrance fee, and advertised cash giveaways for “crunkest group,” or “group with the most members on horseback.” The event also advertised that seven DJs and an MC would be lined up to play music throughout the day, initially scheduled to kick off at noon.
According to Sheriff Brad Norman, the gathering did not have the required permit under the Texas Health and Safety Code, which requires approval for large public events meeting certain attendance thresholds.
“We take public safety seriously, especially when it comes to large, unregulated events that draw crowds from outside our county,” Sheriff Norman said. “These gatherings create unnecessary risks for our community and strain local emergency services.”
The Ellis County Sheriff’s Office has not announced any arrests in connection with the shooting and continues to investigate the incident as of the time of publication.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the sheriff’s office at (972) 937-6060 or leave an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers of Ellis County at (972) 937-PAYS (7297).