Manhunt ends in Albany after intense search
By David H. Waller
A high-speed car chase that began east of Abilene on Interstate 20 came to a dramatic conclusion in Albany on Tuesday, leading to a multi-agency manhunt that ended with the suspect’s arrest near the water tower on One Mile Hill. Here is a detailed account of the events:
Chase Begins on I-20
The pursuit started when authorities attempted to stop a 2001 Ford Ranger in Callahan County. The driver, later identified as Micheal Z. Haley, 37, of Baird, fled eastbound, exiting in Baird and heading north on Highway 283.
In between Baird and Albany, law enforcement deployed spike strips in an effort to stop Haley. According to Shackelford County Sheriff Edward Miller, one of the spikes successfully punctured a tire, but Haley continued at speeds of nearly 100 miles per hour.
Gunfire Exchanged
As the pursuit neared Albany, Haley began firing a gun at pursuing officers. Sheriff Miller confirmed that one patrol unit was struck by gunfire. “We did have one of those patrol units hit by gunfire as we approached Albany Lake Road,” Miller said.
The Albany Police Department attempted to deploy additional spike strips, but Haley veered toward an officer standing by his vehicle in what appeared to be an intentional attempt to hit him. “He centered up on the officer and actually tried to hit him to avoid the spikes,” Miller explained. The officer took cover behind his vehicle, and Haley continued toward town.
Crash and Foot Pursuit
Upon entering Albany, Haley traveled north at high speeds on Baird Street, crossing Highway 180 without stopping. Approximately 200 yards up the road, he crashed his vehicle at the dead end. Leaving the damaged car behind, he fled on foot, heading northwest along a creek bed. A short gun battle ensued with Haley firing at officers and the officers returned fire. The suspect ran into the thick brush, leading to a manhunt.
Haley eventually reached County Road 187 and casually walked into the Blue Delta Drilling oil field yard, armed with a gun without a scope and wearing a black hoodie. Blue Delta Drilling employee Kasey Cauble spotted Haley walking slowly through the yard but had no time to notify authorities as law enforcement arrived on the scene almost immediately. Haley once again fled back toward the creek, disappearing into the wooded area.
Massive Law
Enforcement Response
The manhunt quickly escalated, involving a coordinated effort by law enforcement agencies from Taylor, Callahan, and Stephens counties. Additional support came from DPS, Texas Parks and Wildlife, and Jones and Throckmorton County Sheriff’s Offices. Roads in and around the area were shut down by the Albany Volunteer Fire Department, which managed traffic control. Cook Field Road, South First Street, and Central Street were all blocked to ensure public safety and to allow law enforcement to operate without interference.
Nancy Smith Elementary School and Albany Junior/Senior High School went into lockdown shortly after noon. Sheriff Miller emphasized that the decision was made out of an abundance of caution. “We have a felon who is actively shooting at law enforcement and fleeing. We sure didn’t want somebody being able to take refuge in one of our schools,” Miller stated. Once the suspect was in custody, schools were informed to resume normal operations.
On the scene were over 30 law enforcement vehicles, EMS teams, and fire department personnel. The response also included specialized units such as sniper teams, Texas Rangers, Abilene SWAT, K-9 units, and aerial support from helicopters and drones. The collaboration between these agencies underscored the seriousness of the situation and the determination to ensure a safe resolution.
Search by Air and Ground
The first helicopter arrived piloted by Jacey Shack, with Texas Ranger Bo Brown onboard. It circled the area for approximately 45 minutes to an hour, scanning the terrain for any sign of the suspect. Shack’s efforts to pinpoint Haley’s location proved challenging due to the dense vegetation and creek beds in the area.
Later, a DPS helicopter from Lubbock equipped with heat-detecting technology joined the search around 1:50 p.m. The thermal imaging detected wildlife in the area but initially failed to locate the suspect, highlighting the difficulties of tracking someone on foot in such an environment. Law enforcement on the ground worked tirelessly to coordinate with the aerial units, ensuring that no area was left unchecked.
At approximately 2:20 p.m., K-9 units from the Abilene TDCJU were released to aid in the search. The dogs quickly picked up Haley’s scent, and officers followed their lead of the suspect. The pursuit ended at 2:35 p.m. when Haley was located near the water tower on One Mile Hill. He was taken into custody without further incident and without the weapon, which was later recovered nearby.
Gunfire and Weapon Details
During the pursuit, gunfire was reportedly exchanged between Haley and Shackelford County officers. While details of the exchange remain under investigation, it was confirmed that no officers were injured. Haley’s weapon was identified as a 12-gauge shotgun. Sheriff Miller also confirmed that two handguns and suspected methamphetamine were recovered from the vehicle. “Once we get the field test results and the lab results, we’ll know definitely, but it appears to be methamphetamine,” he said.
Impact on the
Community
The manhunt had a significant impact on the Albany community. Locals described the atmosphere as tense but expressed gratitude for the swift and coordinated response from law enforcement. Many watched from a distance as the helicopters and patrol units worked tirelessly to bring the situation under control.
Parents of students at the locked-down schools praised the prompt actions of school officials and law enforcement, who ensured the safety of the children throughout the ordeal. Sheriff Miller commended the schools for their preparedness, stating, “Our school district has been practicing their emergency response protocols. Once they were notified, they put their protocols in place, activated their procedures, and did what they do best—take care of our kids.”
Suspect Background
Micheal Z. Haley is a resident of Baird. Sheriff Miller indicated that Haley would face multiple charges, including attempted capital murder. “The arresting agency is the Shackelford County Sheriff’s Office, and charges are being pursued that include attempting capital murder,” he stated. Investigators are also working to determine Haley’s full criminal history and any additional pending charges.
Sheriff Miller praised the response from all involved agencies, highlighting the importance of teamwork in West Texas law enforcement. “Out here in the middle of West Texas, no man’s land, we all take care of each other. Today was a perfect day. Nobody got hurt, and the bad guy went to jail,” Miller said
Authorities are expected to release additional details in the coming days as the investigation continues.
