If there is any connection, then prosecutors across the state and here locally may have very good reason to take extra measures to protect themselves.
Several dozen FBI agents are now involved in the investigation. In a search warrant obtained by Eyewitness News, we have learned that Kaufman County District Attorney Mike McClelland and his wife Cynthia were shot multiple times and several casings were found near their bodies.
Family friends found the couple dead in their home around 6:45pm Saturday. They hadn't heard from the couple, so they went to their home to check on them. Investigators said no one had heard from the McLellands since Friday evening, but they aren't saying when the couple was killed.
Neighbor David Crone said he spoke to Cynthia McLelland two months ago when Assistant District Attorney Mark Hasse was murdered while walking from the courthouse to his car.
"She said that was definitely a professional hit," Crone said. "And she said, 'You may think I'm a little crazy, but I'm a little psychic and I think there's going to be more.' She said, 'I really do.' I said, 'Well are you afraid for Mike?' She said, 'No, I'm not.'"
Armed security guards now patrol the streets, doors and hallways of the Kaufman County Courthouse. Some elected officials and employees are even being escorted inside.
When we asked resident Lillian Lara if she was worried going into the courthouse, she replied, "No, not going in, but coming out, yea. Inside there's a lot of security."
Security has been increased because of the killings. Investigators say they have no suspects or leads, but the county judge says it appears that the McLellands' deaths are connected to the death of Hasse.
"We are very much on alert. We obviously have some folks that want very much to do harm to elected officials and we take that very seriously," Kaufman County Judge Bruce Wood said.
Even with additional security, you can find signs of mourning, such as a bouquet of daises and a handmade memorial.
The DA's office is closed Monday and there is no timetable on when it's going to reopen. We're told every employee here showed up to work anyway and they're all working inside right now.
"We're working through this, trying to determine the next step we need to take as a county," said Judge Wood.
Brandi Fernandez, the first assistant DA, has been named acting DA. We're told her home is now being heavily guarded.
Robert Kepple is the executive director of the Texas District and County Attorneys Association. He said prosecutors around the state are now asking for security.
"This takes it to a whole new level. What's happened here is something that concerns everybody for the specter of what it means for the future," Kepple said. "I know my board is going to be actually meeting later this week, and we're going to be talking about what -- as a profession -- we need to be doing to make sure we're safe."
Governor Rick Perry offered his support to public officials Monday.
"I think this is a clear concern to individuals who are in public life particularly those who deal with some very mean and vicious individuals; whether they're white supremacy groups or whether they're the drug cartels that we have," Gov. Perry said.
He added everyone, not just public officials, should be careful about what is happening around them.
Find Pooja on Facebook at PoojaLodhia-Reporter or on Twitter at @impoojalodhia
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