Texas’ first black mayor was stabbed, her husband was murdered, and early on Monday at the hands of her grandson.
Mitchell Blake Reinker, 23, was charged with fatal stab wounds of Bobby J. Mitchell’s husband, Fred Mitchell, after the couple was injured around 4am, according to the Denton County Sheriff’s Office.
Both Mitchells were suffering from stab wounds when officers responded to reports of the assault in Lewisville around 3:53am.
After the incident, the 76-year-old former mayor was rushed to the hospital, but was declared that her husband, 76-year-old, died about an hour after the attack.
Bobby Mitchell is in a stable condition and is undergoing treatment for her wounds.
The grandson of a Republican politician was found on the scene and was soon taken into custody before being charged with murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, Denton’s Record Chronicle reported.
Bobby J. Mitchell worked for the Louisville City Council before making history in 1993 as the city’s first black mayor. After resigning in 2000, she successfully campaigned for the county commissioner and has been representing District 3 ever since.
“This news will have a major impact on our community,” Rachel Roberts, a spokesman for the Louisville police, told Dallas Morning News in a statement. “The City of Louisville is united by refusing violence and is committed to the justice, peace and security of everyone who lives and serves here.”
“We are grateful for the prompt response from the police, fire department and hospital staff who took care of Chief Mitchell,” current Mayor of Lewisville TJ Gilmore said in a statement.
He added: “If you’ve ever been to an event that Bobby prayed over you, lift her and her family up, as you lift her and her family up,” reported Denton Records’ Chronicle.
Rinker, identified on her government website as one of Mitchells’ nine grandchildren, is currently being held at the Louisville Prison.
Deputies were on the scene late Monday morning and continued to gather evidence as they investigated the events leading up to the attack, according to the sheriff’s office.
