Texas Blue Alert Issued for Seth Altman: Manhunt Underway in Hall County After Officer Shooting

Hall County is a small yet significant region in the southeastern Texas Panhandle. Established in 1876, it is bordered by several counties: Briscoe to the west, Motley and Cottle to the south, Childress to the east, and Donley and Collingsworth to the north. The county seat is Memphis, situated approximately 90 miles southeast of Amarillo along U.S. Highway 287. Hall County covers an area of about 885 square miles, characterized by rolling plains and broken terrain, which includes waterways such as the Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River and the Little Red River.

Understanding Blue Alerts in Texas

A Blue Alert is a public safety notification issued in Texas when law enforcement needs assistance in locating a suspect who has seriously injured or killed a police officer or poses an imminent threat to law enforcement personnel. This alert system was established under the Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu National Blue Alert Act of 2015, named after two New York City police officers who were killed in an ambush. 

Criteria for Issuing a Blue Alert

For a Blue Alert to be activated in Texas, specific criteria must be met:

- A law enforcement officer must have been killed or seriously injured.

- The suspect must pose a serious risk to public safety.

- A detailed description of the suspect's vehicle or partial license plate must be available.

- The primary investigating agency must request the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) alert.

Blue Alerts can be disseminated through various channels including television, radio, and mobile devices, similar to AMBER Alerts for missing children.

Recent Blue Alert for Seth Altman

On October 4, 2024, a Blue Alert was issued for Seth Altman, a 33-year-old man wanted in connection with the shooting of a police officer in Memphis, Texas. According to reports, Altman is considered armed and dangerous following an incident where he allegedly shot Memphis Police Chief Rex Plant multiple times. 

Details of the Incident

Altman was last seen around 11 p.m. on October 3rd on South 4th Street in Memphis. He is described as approximately 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing around 220 pounds, with blue eyes and red hair. Following the shooting, Chief Plant was airlifted to Amarillo for medical treatment; however, his current condition has not been publicly disclosed.

Authorities are urging anyone who sees Altman or has information about his whereabouts to contact law enforcement immediately. The issuance of this Blue Alert highlights the critical nature of public involvement in assisting law enforcement during such high-stakes situations.

Community Impact and Response

The recent events surrounding Seth Altman have sent ripples through Hall County and surrounding areas. Residents are reminded of the importance of community vigilance in ensuring public safety. The Blue Alert system serves as a vital tool for law enforcement agencies to quickly mobilize community support during emergencies involving threats to officers.

The Hall County Sheriff's Office has been actively involved in disseminating information regarding Altman's whereabouts while coordinating efforts with state authorities to apprehend him swiftly.