Ennis man arrested in Cedar Hill murder

ENNIS – Ennis resident Kenneth Wayne Morris was arrested last week for the murder of Cedar Hill resident Ernest Slayton.

Some reports indicate Morris may have lived at the home where the incident occurred in Cedar Hill on Tar Road, but the suspect’s home is also in question as at the location where he was arrested in the 700 block of N. Gaines in Ennis.

Cedar Hill Police had been called to the home in the 1800 block of Tar Road responding to a welfare check.

The welfare check had been called in by Morris’ brother who told dispatch he had received a call from his brother Kenneth who said he had shot someone at the Cedar Hill residence.

Morris told his brother he believed the victim had touched one of his children appropriately.

Cedar Hill Police found Slayton at the home with multiple gunshot wounds.

Ennis Police put out a Facebook press release that reported the suspect was in Ennis and was considered armed and dangerous.

Soon after a vehicle related to the investigation was located in the 700 block of N. Gaines by criminal investigators of the Ennis Police Department.

Neighbors in the vicinity of the home were evacuated as was at least one Ennis ISD school campus.

Ennis Police reported, “Once the suspect was confirmed to be armed and inside the residence, additional assistance was requested from the Ellis County Sheriff’s Department, as well as the Southwest Regional Response Group.”

From there, tactical and negotiations assets were assembled as Ennis Police and Ellis County Deputies established communications with the suspect.

Negotiations and tactical measures took several hours before Morris surrendered and was taken into custody.

Morris was charged with murder, and bond was set at $200,000.

This is on ongoing investigation and details are limited at this time. Anyone with information can contact Cedar Hill’s Detective Hutson at (972) 291-5181 ext. 2177.