A peaceful Texas suburb was shaken early Monday morning after a horrifying family tragedy left one of its most respected public officials hospitalized and her husband dead.
Police say Denton County Commissioner Bobbie Mitchell, a trailblazing leader and Lewisville’s first Black mayor, was stabbed and seriously injured, while her husband, Fred Mitchell, was fatally wounded in the early morning attack.
Their grandson, 23-year-old Mitchell Blake Reinacher, has been arrested and charged with murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Officers responded around 3:50 a.m. to an “assault in progress” at the couple’s home in Lewisville, a suburb just north of Dallas. When they arrived, they found the Mitchells with serious stab wounds.
Both were rushed to the hospital, where Fred Mitchell was pronounced dead around 5 a.m. Bobbie Mitchell remains in stable condition.
The alleged attacker, Reinacher, is one of the Mitchells’ nine grandchildren. Authorities have not released a motive, and USA TODAY was unable to confirm whether Reinacher has legal representation.
The incident has stunned the community, especially given Bobbie Mitchell’s long legacy of service.
She served as mayor of Lewisville from 1993 to 2000 before being elected to the Denton County Commissioners Court, where she’s served ever since.
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Community leaders and residents are rallying around her.
“This is a heartbreaking tragedy,” said Denton Mayor Gerard Hudspeth. “Commissioner Mitchell has spent years supporting the people of Denton County. Now, it’s our turn to support her.”
Lewisville Mayor TJ Gilmore praised first responders and asked the public to keep the family in their thoughts. “If you’ve ever been at an event where Bobbie has prayed over you, please lift her and her family up now,” he said.
Neighbors described Fred Mitchell as a kind soul who greeted everyone with a smile. “Why did that happen to that poor guy and her?” one neighbor asked tearfully.
As the community mourns, many are left grappling with the heartbreak of a tragedy that hit far too close to home.
