5 things for Houstonians to know for Wednesday, Jan. 26

Ryan Mitchell Smith, 26 is facing three charges including interference with a police dog. (Houston Police Department)

Here are things to know for Wednesday, Jan. 26

1. Suspect accused of stabbing K-9, wanted for questioning in father’s death, arrested in Waller County, HPD says

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Authorities have arrested a man accused of leading law enforcement officers on two separate chases, stabbing a K-9 police dog and wanted for questioning in the death of his father. Ryan Mitchell Smith, 26, was located about 2 p.m. Tuesday walking along Highway 159 in Waller County. He was arrested without incident by a trooper with the Texas Department of Public Safety.

How it began

Smith is accused of stabbing a K-9 officer Saturday.

Shortly before 8 a.m., Nate, a Belgian Malinois, was on duty with K-9 Houston Police Department officers following a report of a man apparently carjacking two other men in the 900 block of Memorial Heights Drive.

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2. ‘I don’t want to think the worst’: 63-year-old grandfather missing, family fears his disappearance could be related to his son’s murder case

One Cypress family is hoping the public can help them with locating a loved one who has been missing since Saturday.

The Hayes family said 63-year-old Floyd “Man” Hayes never returned home after last being seen leaving a Walgreens in Katy.

“I don’t want to think the worst. I just want to hope that he’s somewhere,” said Hayes’ stepdaughter, Ashleigh Perkins.

Hayes’ family said they are hoping someone knows about his whereabouts, as this is not his typical behavior.

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3. Nearly 4 years later, families still waiting for accused Santa Fe gunman Dimitrios Pagortzis to face trial

Nearly four years after a Santa Fe High School student was accused of murdering eight classmates, two teachers, and wounding more than a dozen others, no trial date has been set in the case.

Dimitrios Pagortzis, 21, was charged with capital murder and aggravated assault on a peace officer, but was ruled incompetent to stand trial in October 2019.

Eighteen months after Pagourtzis was charged, defense attorneys said his mental health deteriorated. Experts for the defense, the prosecution, and an independent expert brought in by the judge determined Pagourtzis was incompetent to stand trial.

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4. HPD releases body camera video in officer-involved crash that killed 75-year-old man

Nearly one month later, Houston police released body camera video from an officer-involved crash that killed a 75-year-old man.

The crash happened on Dec. 26, 2021, in the 4600 block of N Shepherd Drive.

Houston police say officer Christopher Cabrera’s patrol vehicle crashed into another driver’s car.

The man behind the wheel of that Cadillac CTS was 75-year-old Charles Payne.

KPRC 2 spoke to Charles’ son Kevin Payne in December, and he told us his dad had just left church.

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5. Conroe ISD high school science teacher arrested, accused of having inappropriate relationship with student

A science teacher at a Conroe Independent School District high school has been arrested and charged for having an inappropriate relationship with a student, according to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.

Bonnie Guess Mazock, 36, was taken into custody Tuesday and charged with indecency with a child.

On Jan. 12, detectives with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation into allegations of an inappropriate relationship between Mazock and one of her students.

Based on information obtained from the alleged victim’s family and friends, investigators felt they had enough evidence to move forward with charges.

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