[Editor's Note: Drug War Chronicle is trying to track every death directly attributable to domestic drug law enforcement during the year. We can use your help. If you come across a news account of a killing or death related to drug law enforcement, please send us an email at [email protected] [10].]
A truck driver pulled over by a Texas state trooper apparently shot and killed himself before police found a load of marijuana in his truck's sleeper. The man, identified as Mason Burks of Springfield, Missouri, becomes the 42nd person to die in US domestic drug law enforcement operations so far this year [11].
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety [12], Burks was driving north on US Highway 59 near Lufkin when he was stopped for a commercial inspection by Trooper Mike McClain. US 59 begins on the Mexican border at Laredo, Texas.
When McClain stepped up to the truck window, he heard a gunshot. McClain retreated and called for back-up.
When backup arrived, police found Burks, 46, dead of a gunshot wound to the chest. Troopers then found 603 pounds of pot in the sleeper of the truck cab.
A trucker carrying a load of weed north through Texas apparently shot himself rather than face arrest after being pulled over with more than 600 pounds. That's drug war fatality number 42 for the year.
Lufkin, TX
United States
See map: Google Maps [13]