Police Identify Suspect from Carter Motel Shooting

La Grange Police Chief David Gilbreath identified the suspect in last Thursday's shootout at the Carter Motel as Shazizz Mateen, a 49-year-old male who has lived in La Grange for about three years.

Records from the Texas Department of Public Safety show that Mateen has been a registered sex offender since 2006. Gilbreath said Mateen renewed his registration with La Grange Police in 2016 and 2017, but failed to check in this year. Officers made several attempts to serve a warrant at his apartment beginning in January but were unable to locate him until last Thursday, the Chief said.

Mateen is being charged with four counts of aggravated assault on a public servant with a deadly weapon. Each count carries a penalty of five years to life in prison.

Mateen allegedly fired a shotgun at officers when they tried entering his room to arrest him last Thursday, striking Fayette County Sheriff's Deputy Calvin "C.J." Lehmann in the face. Officers fired back and struck Mateen several times. He is currently at Dell Seton Hospital in Austin. Gilbreath did not know Mateen's medical condition as of Tuesday morning, Nov. 6.

Gilbreath said Mateen fired several times after striking Lehmann. A SWAT team from Texas Department of Public Safety used a robot carrying a video camera to enter the room. The video showed Mateen laying on his bed. Officers entered the apartment and were able to get the weapon away from him.

Mateen's original sexual offense was out of Galveston County.

Look for more on this story in Friday's paper.