BEAUMONT, Texas — The Beaumont Police Department is investigating the death of a man who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after kidnapping a woman, driving her over the state line to Louisiana, then going back to Beaumont to barricade himself in a home with children inside.
(EDITOR'S NOTE: This picture is from a previous arrest)
BPD responded to a call about a disturbance called in by a neighbor in the 6700 block of Greenwood around 1:25 a.m. on Wednesday, December 27, 2023.
Investigation revealed that a family violence aggravated kidnapping had occurred, according to a BPD news release.
Officer Haley Morrow says that officers were able to determine the identity of the suspect and victim through previous call history. It was discovered that the suspect had stolen the victim’s vehicle during the kidnapping. Officers then began searching for the vehicle.
Officers were called at 2:18 a.m., and were told that the victim’s vehicle was located in Vinton, Louisiana, according to Morrow.
Detectives passed this information along to law enforcement in Louisiana and continued their investigation.
BPD received another call at 4:35 a.m., from a residence in the 9600 block of Broun Street stating that a man was inside the residence with a gun.
The neighbor who called it in said a woman was banging on his front door pleading for help.
"He was going to kill her if she didn't get up," the neighbor said.
The suspect was Lee Austin Senegal Jr. 28, of Beaumont who was also the suspect in the aggravated kidnapping from Greenwood, according to the release.
The neighbor tells 12News that Senegal fired a gunshot while he was on the phone with dispatchers.
The neighbors who witnessed the scene unfold could do nothing but watch as police swarmed the entire block allowing nobody to come in or leave.
"I woke up and opened up the door and a guy was dragging her away. When he was dragging her away he had a gun in his hand," one of the neighbors said.
When officers arrived on Broun Street, they found the victim’s vehicle in front of the residence and then located both the kidnapping victim as well as the homeowner of the residence.
"Walked outside and saw SWAT, multiple people, police. Probably 10 to 15 cars... was wondering what was going on," said Zach Ferguson, another neighbor.
Ferguson wasn't able to take his son to daycare because police weren't letting anyone in or out of the street.
"I walked outside to turn my car on to warm it up and they told me to get back inside. I asked what was going on and they didn't let me know. They said 'please get back in'," Ferguson said.
Both the kidnapping victim and homeowner were previously in relationships with the suspect, according to the release.
The investigation revealed that after Senegal kidnapped the original victim in Beaumont, he took her to Louisiana against her will, then drove back to Beaumont and went to the Broun Street residence where he kicked in the door.
Officers learned that Senegal then barricaded himself and two children inside the residence.
Ferguson and his son watched the SWAT team move in to the house where Senegal was barricaded.
"There was a flash grenade or flash, something went off. It was real loud. Looks like they had a crowbar going into the side of it," said Ferguson.
BPD called in SWAT and hostage negotiators began speaking with Senegal.
Morrow says the officers were eventually successful in getting Senegal to release both of the children. Negotiations went on for over two hours and officers later found Senegal inside the residence deceased with an apparent self-inflicted gun shot wound.
"And, you know, it's just a sad situation all the way around, it's right here at the holidays. You know, our goal at the end of the day is to always have every situation come to a peaceful resolution," Morrow said.
Ferguson says even though he doesn't know his neighbor personally, he is glad the women and children are okay.
Senegal was previously sentenced to 10 years in state prison for deadly conduct for a crime that happened in 2015. He was released on parole in 2020.
Justice of Peace Ben Collins has ordered an autopsy.
GET NEWS & WEATHER ALERTS | Download the 12News App to your mobile device
CRIME STOPPERS | Submit a tip @ 833Tips.com
CRIME STOPPERS APP | Download the P3 Tips App
If you have information about a crime you could earn a cash reward of up to $1000 by providing an ANONYMOUS tip to Crime Stoppers of Southeast Texas.
Call 833-TIPS (8477) or download the P3Tips App on your mobile device to submit your tip anonymously.
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.