Copperas Cove man arrested for discharging firearm at H-E-B

By LYNETTE SOWELL

Cove Leader-Press

UPDATE: 4:52 P.M. THURSDAY  10/19/2022

After the Leader-Press obtained the arrest affidavit from the office of Coryell County Justice of the Peace, it was learned that McCumber was an employee of H-E-B at the time of the shots being fired.

According to the arrest affidavict, during the investigation, the officer located the bullet hole directly above the outer produce entry doors of the store, and after recovering the bullet, used a laser to determine the path of the bullet.

After determining where he believed the bullet was fired from, the officer returned to the PD and reviewed surveillance, upon which he located the area where the shot was fired from.

A 2013 Volkswagen was identified in that area, and the officer traced the movement of the Volkswagen.

“At 1715 hours, HEB employee Clay Mitchell McCumber, exits the pharmacy side door and enters the Volkswagen. Clay drives to the front of the store and drives to the RG III exit. Clay makes a right onto RG III and then re-enters the parking lot on the rear side. Clay then arrives in the area at 1729 and where I determined the shot was fired from. While in the area, Clay is driving at slow speed, almost coming to a complete stop. The vehicle continued through the parking lot and eventually parks. After several minutes, Clay exits the vehicle with a towel in hand. Clay opens his trunk and removes something from the towel. The towel was placed on the left side of the trunk while the other item appears to be placed on the right side, possibly in the spare tire area. These actions are common when· trying to conceal items, to include a firearm. Due to Clay's actions, it is my belief he is attempting to conceal the firearm inside of the trunk and underneath items. Clay re-entered the store and clocked in.”

Clay Mitchell McCumber, 27, of Copperas Cove, was arrested by police on Wednesday, October 19, in connection with two separate incidents at the Copperas Cove H-E-B, where two exterior windows were shattered by gun shots.

Lt. Krystal Baker with the Copperas Cove Police Department said that officers responded to H-E-B on Tuesday for shots fired.

“Officers arrived on scene and observed a damaged window on the front of the building, and located a bullet fragment. Witnesses on scene reported hearing a gunshot. Detectives responded to investigate and as a result of their investigation, they identified a suspect and obtained an arrest warrant for Deadly Conduct-Discharge Firearm.”

McCumber was identified as a suspect after an investigation and taken into custody.

Lt. Baker said after further investigation, McCumber was found to be involved in a separate incident on Oct. 8, when officers also responded to the store for shots fired, with that incident also resulting in property damage. There were no injuries in either incident.

McCumber received a total bond of $75,000 on both counts and was not listed on the Coryell County Jail roster as of Thursday afternoon. Lt. Baker stated that the Criminal Investigation Division continues to investigate this incident.

There was no motive given for either incident nor the circumstances shared that led to the shooting. The Leader-Press has requested a copy of the arrest affidavit.

H-E-B issued a statement concerning the incidents. However, the company didn’t answer the questions if McCumber was a current or former employee, or if he had any other ties to the store.

“The safety of our Partners and Customers are our top priority. Anytime a firearm is discharged on our property, we take the situation very seriously and work with local authorities immediately. We are thankful that law enforcement has a suspect in custody.”

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.