11 National Guardsmen Transporting COVID Vaccines Held at Gunpoint in Texas
A container of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is seen at the United Memorial Medical Center on December 21, 2020 in Houston, Texas. Vaccinations in the U.S. began last week with healthcare workers, with at least 556,000 doses reportedly administered. Go Nakamura/Getty Images

Texas police said that National Guardsmen delivering the COVID vaccines were held at gunpoint on Monday morning. The suspect allegedly followed the Guardsmen as they drove the vans of vaccine doses from Lubbock to Matador, Texas.

According to an NBC News report, the accused, Larry Harris from Arizona, attempted several times to force the three vans off the road. The 66-year-old suspect was being held in the Lubbock County Jail.

He is facing multiple charges, including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, impersonating a public servant, unlawful carrying of a weapon, unlawful restraint of 11 National Guard troops, and interference with Texas military forces.

Harris remained jailed on bonds worth $44,000 as of Tuesday.

The Gunpoint Incident

According to Idalou Police Chief Eric Williams, aside from trying to run the vans off the road, Harris also used his truck to block and stop the vans by turning his vehicle into oncoming traffic on Highway 62/82.

He then pointed his gun at an unarmed National Guardsman and ordered the rest of the Guardsmen out of their vehicles. He demanded to search the vehicles as he identified himself as a detective.

Williams said it seemed that the suspect appeared to be "mentally disturbed" as Harris believed that the people in the vans had kidnapped a mother and child, Daily Mail reported.

One of the National Guardsmen then called 911 while Harris was inspecting the van armed with a loaded pistol. Harris also had additional ammunition to his possession. Police officers managed to seize Harris without any untoward incident and transported him to jail.

"Maybe it's used in other places in Texas where military bases are, I don't know. But I would dare to say this is the first time it's been used in Lubbock county," Williams said as KCBD reported.

He added that he was amazed that this did not turn into a very bad situation as the suspect was standing in the middle of the National Guardsmen with a loaded gun.

Williams noted that there's "plenty of ammunition to cause a lot of havoc and for whatever reason," Harris put the gun "in the front of his pants when he saw officers arriving and officers were able to take him into custody without incident." If convicted, the suspect could face up to 20 years in prison.

Texas COVID Vaccines

Meanwhile, the state of Texas has announced that everyone ages 16 and older would be eligible for a COVID vaccine starting Mar. 29.

But the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is still asking providers to prioritize appointments for people who are 80 and older, Texas Tribune reported.

Imelda Garcia, the DSHS associate commissioner for laboratory and infectious disease services and the state's Expert Vaccine Allocation Panel chair, said they are closing in on 10 million doses administered in Texas. Garcia added that they want to keep up the momentum as the vaccine supply increases.

Texas's statewide mask mandate was lifted on Mar. 10, allowing businesses to go back to 100 percent capacity despite warnings from health experts that Texans should not be complacent as more COVID variants are spreading.

Counties are also trying to improve vaccinations for communities of color since they were the ones widely affected by the pandemic. They also appear to be behind the white population in getting the vaccine.

WATCH: National Guardsmen Transporting COVID-19 Vaccines Held at Gunpoint in Texas - From Robotic News