May 2, 2024 - The Shelby County Sheriff’s Department has confirmed an investigation into the death of a man on U.S. Highway 59 (U.S. 59) near Tenaha on Sunday, April 28, 2024, and has provided a summary of their findings.
Texas Department of Public Safety State Troopers were dispatched to the location on U.S. 59 between Tenaha and the Panola County line for a welfare check in reference to a person laying on the side of the road sometime before 9pm.
Shelby County Sheriff’s Department Criminal Investigation Division was called to the scene at 9pm, and they began their investigation. Upon arrival, a blue Toyota Camry was found parked on the northbound side of the roadway with its headlights on, and the engine running. The body of a black man was discovered beside the road with an apparent gunshot wound to his head.
It appeared to officers, the man got out of his vehicle during a rain storm, fired a gun several times into his car and then the self-inflicted one on himself.
Dee Dee Green, Justice of the Peace for Precinct 4, pronounced Justin Robertson, 33, of Houston dead at the scene and an autopsy was ordered. Robertson was transported by Mangum Funeral Home for the autopsy in Dallas.
Through autopsy it was determined Robertson died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
