The estranged wife of Dabrett Black, the gunman charged with shooting DPS Trooper Damon Allen, told our sister station in Waco she had seen warning signs and paranoia from Black for years.
"I've been trying to tell people this for years," Black's wife, who spoke with Channel 6 News on terms of anonymity to protect her family, said. "I don't know why (Black) was released ... recently. He's had nothing but history. I really feel for that cop's family because now their Thanksgiving is ruined every year."
Black was captured Thursday evening in Waller County, northwest of Houston.
Shots were reportedly fired in the area where Black was spotted fleeing on foot. Texas DPS troopers and multiple law enforcement agencies cornered Black before he was safely taken into custody at about 9 p.m. Thursday.
Black has a previous criminal history that includes evading arrest and violence toward law enforcement, authorities say.
In July, KYTX in Tyler reported Black was jailed in Smith County after a car chase with deputies. The chase ended when Black struck a patrol vehicle and both he and a deputy were transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Black was charged with evading arrest, aggravated assault against a public servant and reckless driving.
Records show Black was in the Army for a number of years. His estranged wife said Black served three tours in Iraq and he "returned a changed man."
Black was booked into Brazos County Jail and charged with capital murder of a peace officer. His bond was set at $500,000.
