A Denton County Commissioner was stabbed and her husband was killed by her grandson, police said.
DENTON COUNTY, Texas — A Denton County commissioner was injured and her husband was killed after they were stabbed overnight by their grandson, Lewisville police said.
Officers responded to reports of an assault in progress around 3:53 a.m. Monday in the 1000 block of Springwood Drive, Lewisville police said. Officers found two victims, a man and a woman, suffering from stab wounds.
The female victim, Denton County Commissioner Bobbie Mitchell, is in stable condition, police said. Bobbie’s husband, Fred Mitchell, died from his injuries, police said.
A nice, beautiful couple, and I would never expect for anything like that to happen here,” said neighbor Sharon Leon.
Police arrested the suspect, Mitchell Blake Reinacher, 23, the grandson of the victims, at the scene, police said. Their grandson was still inside the house, and officers heard screaming coming from inside, according to Lewisville Police Chief Brook Rollins.
“He was immediately cooperative with officers and surrendered without any incident,” Chief Rollins said.
Watch the full press conference here:
Officers found Bobbie and Fred stabbed and detained Reinacher before they were able to provide medical aid to them, Rollins said. He said Lewisville Fire officials responded and attended to them before they were taken to area hospitals.
Rollins said Reinacher didn’t struggle before being taken into custody. He said officers recovered the weapon believed to be the one used in the stabbing, a serrated kitchen knife, from the scene.
He declined to speculate on what led up to the stabbing. When asked about any history between the police department and Reinacher, Rollins said this was not the first time officers had contact with the 23-year-old suspect. Rollins did not elaborate on Reinacher’s criminal history during the press conference.
Rollins also acknowledged Bobbie’s “longstanding history with the city” and the “shock” in the community after the stabbing.
“If anybody’s ever known her, they know the value that she brings to our city from a leadership perspective as well as one of our elected officials,” he said. “I think the shock and awe is well beyond the immediate family and into the family of this city, this county, and in some cases, this state.”
Mitchell’s children shared this statement, which in part says, “Our wonderful mother is expected to recover. We will provide updates for the funeral service for our beloved father.”
Bobbie Mitchell represents Precinct 3 on the Denton County Commissioners Court, police said. She also previously served as a Lewisville City Council member and was elected the city’s first Black mayor in 1993, the release states. She remains in stable condition and is being treated for a stab wound, the release stated.
In a press conference Monday afternoon, Lewisville Mayor TJ Gilmore alluded to Bobbie’s “long history with the city” and said she’s recovering.
“We are getting news that Commissioner Mitchell is recovering and we are pleased on that, but we are also deeply saddened at the loss of her husband, Fred Mitchell,” Gilmore said. “The community of Lewisville is hurting, but we know we will be stronger and we will come together to be strong for the family.”
“We are devastated and we hope that she and the family can move through this and that we can continue to have her serve us for many years to come,” Gilmore added.
“This is a heartbreaking tragedy and I extend my sincerest condolences to the Mitchell family,” Gerard Hudspeth, mayor of Denton said in a statement. “Commissioner Mitchell has spent years supporting the residents of Denton County, now her family needs our prayers and compassion. I stand ready to assist in any way needed as they navigate their profound grief.”
The couple has nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, according to Mitchell’s bio on the Denton County Commissioner’s website.
“The City is holding our Commissioner and her family close to our hearts,” Gilmore said in a statement. “We are grateful for the quick response from our police, fire, and the hospital staff who have taken great care of Commissioner Mitchell. If you’ve ever been at an event where Bobbie has prayed over you, please lift her and the family up as she has lifted our community.”
Reinacher was arrested and charged with murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, the release stated. Police did not immediately identify a motive in the stabbing.
The incident remains under investigation.
A prayer vigil will be held Monday night in honor of Bobbie Jo Mitchell at Westside Baptist Church in Lewisville. And as she continues to recover, community members are standing with her in spirit and support.
“We’re just going to be praying for the family,” said Leon.
Reinacher has since been indicted on charges of murder and aggravated assault, officials confirm.