Shootout leaves one man in the hospital and one on the run

An argument turned into a shootout leaves one man in the hospital and the other injured man on the run. On Friday around 12:30 am, a call came in to 911 stating that one man had been shot in the 19200 Block of County Road 447 near Van and the another man that was shot fled the scene driving a white Ford Crown Victoria.

Smith County Deputies and Van police officers arrived on the scene to find one of the gunshot victims outside the residence, who was identified as Jesse Lee Hasten, a 29-year-old from Mineola. Smith County Deputies and Van Police Officers administered first aid on the scene until the arrival of Paramedics with UT Health EMS. Jesse was transported to UT Health Tyler for treatment.

About thirty minutes later, information was received that a gunshot victim had checked himself into the emergency room at UT Health Quitman. This individual was identified as Matthew Aric Jones and he had sustained a gunshot wound to the leg. When the Wood County Sheriff’s Deputies arrived at the hospital to speak with Matthew, he fled the hospital on foot. Wood County Deputies found a silver Ford Crown Victoria in the parking lot that had been used by Matthew.

Allegedly, both Jesse and Matthew were involved in an argument at the address on CR 447 which turned into both men pulling guns on each other and shooting each other. At this time, arrest warrant affidavits are being prepared on Jesse and Matthew for the criminal offense of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon.

Jesse had surgery at UT Health Tyler and is currently in stable condition with non-life threatening injuries. Matthew's location is unknown and it is uncertain if he has sought medical treatment elsewhere. His health and welfare should be considered questionable at this time. If anyone has any information as to the whereabouts of Matthew Jones please call the Smith County Sheriff’s Office at (903) 566-6600.