A Texas man who identified himself as a “sovereign citizen” and refused to follow US laws was killed in a shootout with police while livestreaming on Facebook. Patrick Hurst, 47, got into a confrontation with Harris County deputies in Houston after being pulled over for an expired registration and busted tailgate. He claimed he would not comply with their orders due to his beliefs in the extremist movement that rejects the legitimacy of government institutions. Hurst drove off and was eventually stopped with spike strips before pulling a handgun and firing at officers when they approached him.
During the altercation, Hurst livestreamed the incident on Facebook Live while his sister, Angela Washington, was on the phone with him and watching. She tried to talk him down and prevent any violence, describing the situation as a “mental breakdown.” Hurst’s family acknowledged that he had struggled with mental health issues in the past, but they claimed they had never heard him express extremist views or identify as a member of the Sovereign Citizens Movement. They were shocked to learn about his actions and the violent outcome that resulted in his death.
Sheriff Ed Gonzalez stated that the incident could have been avoided if Hurst had complied with the deputies’ orders. The sheriff suggested that this was not the first encounter with a member of the Sovereign Citizens Movement and that such situations have the potential to turn violent. The movement is described by the Anti-Defamation League as an extremist antigovernmental faction that does not recognize the authority of federal government or law enforcement. Hurst’s actions resulted in an innocent bystander being injured and a private school bus being struck by bullets, although thankfully no children were on board at the time.
Despite the sheriff’s statements and the description of the Sovereign Citizens Movement, Hurst’s sister maintained that her brother was not a violent extremist and did not harbor hatred towards law enforcement. She was surprised to learn that he owned a gun and believed that he was always focused on doing meaningful work in alignment with his faith. The tragedy that unfolded on that day was a shock to Hurst’s family, who were left grappling with his unexpected actions and the sudden loss of his life. The incident highlighted the dangers of individuals who reject the authority of the government and law enforcement and the potential consequences that can arise in such confrontations.
