Woodville Nursing Home Incident Leads to Fugitive Arrest, Multiple Felony Charges

WOODVILLE, Texas — A man with an active out-of-state felony warrant was arrested Sunday evening after allegedly assaulting a Tyler County deputy and nursing home staff during an attempted arrest at a Woodville facility.

According to a press release from the Tyler County Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred around 7 p.m. on March 1, 2026, when a deputy was dispatched to Dogwood Trails Manor Nursing Home, located just west of Woodville, in reference to the reported theft of a cell phone.

While investigating the report, the deputy made contact with a possible suspect identified as Austin Wilson-Salazar, 25, of Woodville, who was reportedly employed at the nursing home.

Authorities say the deputy ran Salazar’s information through Tyler County Dispatch and learned that Salazar had an active warrant for his arrest issued out of Norfolk, Virginia, for a felony probation violation.

The deputy informed Salazar that he was under arrest and instructed him to place his hands behind his back. Officials say Salazar then aggressively resisted, breaking free from the deputy and fleeing down a hallway through several rooms inside the facility.

The deputy ultimately caught up with Salazar in the dining room area, where the struggle continued.

According to the sheriff’s office, nursing staff members attempted to assist the deputy as Salazar allegedly punched and kicked both the deputy and staff members. During the altercation, one nurse was reportedly punched and pushed into a wall.

Salazar was eventually subdued and placed in handcuffs as additional law enforcement officers arrived on scene.

He was transported to the Tyler County Jail and charged with:

• Felony Assault of a Public Servant

• Assault Causing Serious Bodily Injury

• Resisting Arrest

• Evading Arrest

Justice of the Peace Tina Self set Salazar’s bonds at $95,000.

Authorities say Salazar could face additional charges as the investigation continues. He currently remains in the Tyler County Jail.

The Tyler County Sheriff’s Office also thanked the Woodville Police Department, Ivanhoe Police Department, and the staff at Dogwood Trails Manor for assisting during the incident.

As with all criminal cases, all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.