Bond doubled for Copperas Cove man arrested for firing at H-E-B windows

By LYNETTE SOWELL

Cove Leader-Press

The bond for a now-former H-E-B partner currently in the Coryell County Jail is now doubled to $150,000 after being arrested by Copperas Cove police last week in connection with shots fired at store windows.

Clay Mitchell McCumber, 27, of Copperas Cove, was arrested by police on October 19, in connection with two separate incidents at the Copperas Cove H-E-B, when two exterior windows were shattered by gun shots, on October 18 and on October 8 of this year. McCumber initially received a total bond of $75,000 for both counts.

According to the arrest affidavit, 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. Upon review of surveillance, the officer located the area from where the shot was fired and identified a 2013 Volkswagen in that area.

He then traced the movement of the Volkswagen driven by McCumber, an H-E-B partner who exited the store around 5:15 that day and got into the vehicle, the officer wrote in his report.

“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.”

The officer stated McCumber then exited the vehicle with a towel in hand, opened his trunk and removed something from the towel, actions common when trying to conceal items, to include a firearm. The officer believed that due to those actions, McCumber was attempting to conceal the firearm inside of the trunk.

The officer stated that McCumber then re-entered the store and clocked in.

Lt. Baker with the Copperas Cove Police Department 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 a shot fired, with that incident also resulting in property damage. There were no injuries in either incident. The store was not closed nor evacuated during either incident.

H-E-B issued a statement last week but did not reveal that a partner had been arrested in connection with the incidents.

“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,” Chelsea Edwards with H-E-B Public Relations said.

In follow-up to learning a current H-E-B partner was arrested, the Leader-Press contacted Edwards to find out what procedures are followed by stores in the event a shot is fired on premise, and if there are any type of employee assistance programs or type of mental health/supportive services for its partners.

“The safety of our Partners and Customers is our top priority,” said Edwards in follow-up. “Partners are communicating directly with our Top Store Leader to discuss the safety procedures in place.”