James Blount, 81, was found shot to death inside his Montgomery County home. Now, investigators are working to find out who killed him.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas — A homicide investigation is underway in Montgomery County after an 81-year-old man was found shot to death on Monday morning.
Officials with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office said they responded to a house on Trails End Road, which is in a neighborhood east of I-45 near The Woodlands, after they got reports of a dead person at the location.
When they got there around 8 a.m., they found James Blount, who appeared to have been shot to death. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators haven’t said if they have an idea who’s responsible for shooting Blount.
MCSO is expected to give an update on the case on Thursday.
MCSO investigators are asking anyone with information to call them at 936-538-5900 or the Multi-County Crime Stoppers line at 800-392-7867 and reference case #26A187258.
Remembered by trail riding club
Blount’s friends said they don’t understand how anyone would want him dead. They said he was a longtime trail driver who bred and trained draft horses. He was well-known throughout the community.
“Jim was supposed to live to 100. He said he was,” Linda Young said.
She had known him for the last 30 years. They were deputy constables together in Montgomery County.
“(He) Never met a stranger. If you ever needed anything, he was the one to call, and he would help you out,” Young said.
They were both trail drivers — the ones holding reins in the wagons being pulled by a team of draft horses.
Angie Gonzales is the Rounders’ trail boss, the group Blount was part of.
“If you saw a movie with an old, salty cowboy sitting on a stool somewhere and he’s just got a life of wisdom behind his eyes, that would be Jim Blount,” Gonzales said. “His passing is shocking. Something none of us expected. We thought the man was indestructible.”
His friends are left wondering who is responsible for his death.
“They need to be found. … It was cold-blooded, just absolutely cold-blooded,” Young said.
The group leader said they’ll keep their friend’s memory alive by caring for the legacy he left behind.
“Two mares that just gave birth to two babies. Those will be our replacement team,” Gonzales said.
Blount’s son said the family doesn’t want to speak publicly since the case is still under investigation.
Rounders posted this statement on its social media page:
“On behalf of the Rounders, we extend our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Jim Blount. Jim attended our rides and was, at one time, a valued member of the Rounders Group. This is a heartbreaking loss, and we are all deeply saddened as we try to come to terms with this tragedy. We are truly beside ourselves. Mr. Blount was a strong man who genuinely loved his animals and was an exceptional teamster. He touched the lives of so many, was known as a hard worker, and earned the utmost respect of his peers. We are truly grateful to have known him and to have shared a part of his life. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends, and we pray that the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office is able to find those responsible and bring them to justice during this incredibly difficult time.”
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