Three Dead, One Injured After Multi-County Tragedy Ends in Buc-ee’s Crash and Self-Inflicted Shooting in Ennis, Texas

MABANK, TX — October 17, 2025 — A horrifying and fast-developing chain of events early Thursday morning has left three people dead, one injured, and an entire region of North and Central Texas reeling in disbelief. Authorities have identified the suspect as Christopher Kyle Reid Jr., 29, of Hubbard, Texas, who is now in critical condition after crashing his vehicle into a Buc-ee’s convenience store in Ennis and shooting himself in the head as law enforcement closed in.

What began as a series of violent encounters spanning multiple Texas counties — including Navarro, Henderson, and Ellis — quickly escalated into one of the most disturbing and tragic events the region has seen in recent memory.

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), the string of violence began in the early morning hours near Mabank, when reports surfaced of multiple shootings involving Reid. Law enforcement officials confirmed that the suspect was connected to at least three separate homicides, as well as the injury of a fourth victim who is currently being treated at a local hospital. Authorities described the scenes as “gruesome and chaotic,” with multiple agencies — including local police, county sheriffs, and state troopers — working tirelessly to piece together the timeline of events.

Witnesses in Mabank reported waking up to the sound of gunfire and police sirens as the first calls came in shortly after 3:00 a.m. “It was terrifying,” one resident shared. “We didn’t know what was happening — just that something very bad was unfolding. The whole area was crawling with law enforcement.”

After the initial shootings, investigators say Reid fled the area in a dark-colored vehicle, leading police on a frantic pursuit that spanned more than 60 miles across county lines. The chase ended when he crashed his vehicle into the entrance of a Buc-ee’s travel center off Interstate 45 in Ennis, causing extensive damage and chaos as bystanders scrambled for safety. Moments later, witnesses reported hearing a single gunshot — believed to be the one Reid used to inflict a self-inflicted wound.

He was immediately transported by air ambulance to a Dallas-area hospital, where he remains in critical condition under police guard. Authorities have not yet released a motive, but investigators say they are working to determine whether the shootings were targeted or random acts of violence.

“This is an incredibly tragic situation,” said an official with the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office. “We have multiple victims, multiple crime scenes, and families whose lives have been shattered in a matter of hours. Our hearts go out to