Authorities in Texas issued a Blue Alert on October 4, 2024, for Seth Altman. A nationwide manhunt ensued for the 33-year-old man who was involved in the shooting of a police officer. He was last seen in Memphis, Texas, fleeing on foot after Memphis Chief of Police Rex Plant attempted to serve an arrest warrant for burglary. As the warrant was being served, Altman pulled a gun on the two officers, shooting Plant multiple times. Governor Greg Abbott is offering a $10,000 reward for any information leading to the capture of Seth Altman. He is currently on the Texas 10 Most Wanted list. Authorities have advised that Altman should be considered armed and dangerous.
Blue Alert
According to the Texas Department of Safety, a blue alert is issued for a person suspected of killing, seriously injuring, or attempting to kill or seriously injure a law enforcement officer. The system took effect in 2008 and was designed to apprehend a fugitive as swiftly as possible. DPS press secretary Sheridan Nolen told Fox News Digital, “They are designed to speed up the apprehension of violent criminals who kill or seriously wound law enforcement officers by generating tips and leads for the investigating agencies, and therefore giving those agencies the best opportunity to apprehend a dangerous criminal.”
The blue alert for Seth Altman went out just before 5 a.m. Friday morning. He assaulted Police Chief Rex Plant the night before around 11 p.m. The Federal Communications Commission received over 4,500 complaints regarding the alert. The community was outraged at the timing of the safety alert, stating it disturbed their routines. It is most likely you have received a safety alert before in your lifetime. There are many types of emergency alert systems, such as Amber Alert, Severe Storm Warning, or Silver Alert. These are meant for the safety and protection of the community.
Texas Top 10 Most Wanted
Seth Altman is listed on Texas’ Top 10 Most Wanted list. Authorities are charging him with assault causing bodily injury, burglary, evading arrest, and criminal trespass. However, he is wanted specifically for the attempted capital murder of a police officer. Altman has the highest reward rate out of any other fugitives. According to DPS, he is a 6’2, 220-pound white male. He was last seen wearing jeans and a t-shirt, heading toward U.S. Highway 287 in Hall County. If anyone spots Seth Altman, they can submit a tip through the Texas’ Top 10 website. They highly suggest never attempting to apprehend a fugitive yourself.
The Texas Crime Stoppers offer cash rewards to people with tips leading to the capture of fugitives on their Most Wanted list. The Texas Top 10 Most Wanted list is considered to be successful at engaging the community to capture dangerous individuals. In 2023, the Department of Public Safety and other agencies arrested 44 fugitives and sex offenders from the Texas 10 Most Wanted list, including 12 gang members and 22 sex offenders. Additionally, $107,500 in rewards were paid for tips leading to these arrests.
Final Thoughts
The manhunt for Seth Altman continues; however, the Blue Alert has been discontinued as of October 16, 2024. Police Chief Rex Plant was escorted to a hospital in Lubbock. He arrived in stable condition and reportedly was released just a few days after he was shot. The Texas Department of Public Safety has not responded to inquiries about the Blue Alert being discontinued. There are several common reasons for an alert to be canceled; however, it is mainly once the suspect has been apprehended. In this instance, that is not the case. There could also be an error with the alert itself, and authorities are correcting the information issued.
If you have any potential leads on Seth Altman’s whereabouts, please call Texas Crime Stoppers at 1(800)252-tips (8477) or the Hall County Sheriff’s Office at 806-259-2636.
