Mansfield police arrest murder suspects, investigation continues

MANSFIELD – Just days after Mansfield police investigated a homicide in connection with a shooting that occurred at 4:36 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, that left a 17-year-old male dead and another on the A suicide was followed this week by a police chase in which the fleeing suspect shot at police officers.

On Monday, September 23, at 12:26 p.m., Mansfield Police were working a critical incident at the intersection of E Broad Street and N SH 360.

During the investigation, they received a second call about a driver going the wrong way in the 2200 block of FM 917.

When police arrived five minutes later, their attempt to stop the suspect for a traffic violation resulted in the vehicle slowing but immediately driving away.

According to police, there was a single driver in the vehicle, a gray Honda Accord, and police said he showed officers a firearm before fleeing.

The escape led to a vehicle pursuit, and a media release from Mansfield Police said: “During the pursuit, the suspect fired multiple shots at the officers pursuing him. Mansfield officers engaged the suspect with gunfire but did not strike him.”
The pursuit extended to Burleson, Johnson County, and outside agencies were brought in to assist.

The suspect led the pursuit back into the town of Mansfield, ending in the westbound lanes of the 3400 block of E Broad St at the N SH 360 overpass.

As the pursuit ended, the suspect struck another vehicle, disabling the suspect's vehicle.

At that point, the release states, “The suspect subsequently took his own life while still inside the vehicle and the vehicle was demobilized, suffering a self-inflicted gunshot wound.”

No other injuries were reported at this time.

The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene by Mansfield Fire and Rescue. Mansfield police said the Tarrant County Coroner's Office will release the suspect's identity once next of kin is notified.

According to Mansfield Police, the Texas Rangers have been directed to work with the Mansfield Police Department's Criminal Investigation Division to investigate this death. The Mansfield Police Department's Internal Affairs Division will conduct a concurrent administrative investigation.

Murder suspects arrested

As for the Sept. 18 murder, Mansfield police arrested a suspect the following day in connection with the fatal shooting in the 800 block of Cutting Horse Dr.

The call was originally placed as a welfare check, but when police arrived they found the unresponsive male victim with an apparent gunshot wound.

The suspect, 21-year-old Elijah Hatton, fled; However, the next day, Mansfield investigators identified Hatton and located his vehicle at an apartment complex in East Dallas.

Hatton was arrested without incident by SWAT officers in Mansfield. He is currently in prison and charged with murder.

Mansfield police have also identified and arrested a second murder suspect.

Mansfield investigators and the U.S. Marshal's Office Fugitive Task Force arrested 19-year-old Michael Adrean Spencer on Wednesday, September 25th. He was taken into custody without incident and is charged with murder.

Further details of this murder are still being investigated.

Mansfield Police are urging anyone with information to come forward. If you have any details that may assist you in this case, please contact the Mansfield Police Department at 817-473-0211 or Det. Jorge Ramirez [email protected]