Steven Ritchie Dies Outside Conroe Courthouse Before Sentencing in Montgomery County, Texas
CONROE, Texas — Steven Ritchie, 74, died outside the Lee G. Alworth Building in Conroe on the morning of September 18, 2026, shortly before a scheduled court appearance, according to authorities and local news reports.
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office said the incident was reported at approximately 6 a.m. outside the courthouse at 207 West Phillips Street. Officials described the death as resulting from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. The Conroe Police Department took the lead in investigating the circumstances.
Authorities secured the scene and temporarily closed West Phillips Street near the building. The courthouse was also closed to foot traffic while investigators worked. Officials said there was no continuing threat to the public and asked residents to avoid the immediate area.
News reports identified Ritchie as a defendant who had been expected to appear in court that morning in connection with a pending criminal case. According to reporting by Click2Houston, he was scheduled to enter a plea agreement related to an online solicitation of a minor charge. He had previously been arrested in September 2025, according to records reported by local media.
The incident occurred before the scheduled court proceeding could take place. Details about the events leading up to his death have not been fully established in the public information reviewed, and no assumptions should be made about his state of mind or motives.
The investigation was being handled by Conroe police, while the initial public safety response was communicated by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. Further official findings would be needed to clarify any additional circumstances surrounding the death.
Public reports have focused primarily on the courthouse incident, the pending legal matter, and the response by local authorities. Verified details about Ritchie’s family, personal background, or funeral arrangements were not established in the sources reviewed.
Source note: This article is based on information released by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and reporting by Click2Houston and Woodlands Online. The death was described by authorities as an apparent self-inflicted shooting; investigative conclusions may be updated as more information becomes available.