“The subject shot and killed was the suspect in the arson fire being investigated by the County Fire Marshal,” the statement read. “The County Fire Marshal, along with the investigators with the Sheriff’s Office and Justice of the Peace were able to link the subject to the fire by physical evidence found on his person.”

A woman in East Texas shot and killed a man breaking into her home in the early hours of Tuesday morning, police said.
KLTV News reports deputies from the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office, responding to a 911 call, arrived at the woman’s home around 4:30 a.m on Tuesday. The woman, who has not been identified, told the 911 operator she had just shot a man trying to force entry into her home.
Deputies found Christopher Ray Foster, 37, dead at the scene.
Foster reportedly had a lengthy criminal record.
According to a story about the shooting at Guns.com, Foster had been convicted of sexually assaulting a young girl in 1999.
He had most recently been released from the Van Zandt County Jail on a personal recognizance bond for failing to register as a sex offender.
A statement from the Van Zandt County Fire Marshal also indicated Foster was being investigated for a recent arson fire.
“The subject shot and killed was the suspect in the arson fire being investigated by the County Fire Marshal,” the statement read. “The County Fire Marshal, along with the investigators with the Sheriff’s Office and Justice of the Peace were able to link the subject to the fire by physical evidence found on his person.”
After a preliminary investigation, authorities determined that the woman shot and killed Foster as he was trying to force his way through a side door. The Texas Rangers were called in to assist with the investigation and no arrests were made. The case was handed over to the Van Zandt County District Attorney’s Office for review, according to KETK News.
“Presently, as the result of underfunding and inadequate staffing at the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office, homeowners need to take appropriate precautions to protect their families,” Sheriff Michael Lindsey Ray said. “I will continue to support the law abiding citizens of our community when they are forced to take actions to protect their lives, liberty and property.”
Sources: KLTV News , Guns.com, KETK News
Photo Credit: Texas Department of Public Safety, Van Zandt County Jail