HALL COUNTY, Texas — The reward for a man who prompted a Blue Alert in Texas has increased.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the alert was issued for Seth Altman, 33, of Memphis, for "the killing or serious injury of an officer" in Hall County, which sits in the panhandle, just southeast of Amarillo.
Gov. Greg Abbott sys Altman is wanted in connection with the shooting of Memphis Police Chief Rex Plant, that took place around 11 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3, as he and another officer tried to arrest Altman on a burglary charge. Altman then ran away from the scene. Chief Plant was flown to a Lubbock hospital for treatment.
The state is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to Altman's arrest. The FBI field office in Dallas is also offering $5,000.
Officials say Altman stands 6'2 and weighs about 220 lbs. He was last seen in the 200 block of S. 4th St. in Memphis, wearing a blue T-shirt and jeans.
Altman, who is considered armed and dangerous, was added to the Texas Most Wanted Fugitives List for attempted capital murder of a peace officer.
To be eligible for the reward, tipsters must either:
- Call the Texas Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-252-TIPS (8477)
- Submit a web tip through the 10 Most Wanted website
- Submit a tip through the DPS mobile app
If you see him, do not approach and call 911.
"All tips are anonymous – regardless of how they are submitted, and tipsters will be provided a tip number instead of using a name," the 10 Most Wanted website states.
The extent of the officer's injuries are unknown at this time.
According to DPS, the following represents Blue Alert criteria for the state's network:
- A law enforcement officer must have been killed or seriously injured by an offender.
- The investigating law enforcement agency must determine that the offender poses a serious risk or threat to the public and other law enforcement personnel.
- A detailed description of the offender's vehicle, vehicle tag, or partial tag must be available for broadcast to the public.
- The investigating law enforcement agency of jurisdiction must recommend activation of the Blue Alert to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).