CHINA, Texas — A 33-year-old Indiana man who died after getting into a shootout with Jefferson County deputies killed himself.
Brandon Wilder, 33, of Indiana, died due to a self-inflicted gunshot to the head according to Jefferson County Precinct Four Justice of the Peace Justin Chesson.
(EDITOR'S NOTE: Above video first aired on February 7, 2023.)
Wilder exchanged gunfire with a pair of Jefferson County deputies along U.S. Highway 90 in China early Tuesday morning, February 7, 2023.
A deputy was driving eastbound along U.S. Highway 90 west of Beaumont just after 1 a.m., Tuesday morning, when they had to pull over to avoid being hit by a Wilder, who was riding a motorcycle going westbound in the eastbound traffic lanes, according to Capt. Crystal Holmes of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office.
The deputy began to chase Wilder and was quickly joined by a deputy in another patrol unit before he pulled over along U.S. Highway 90 at East Railroad St., in China.
Wilder immediately got off of the bike and began firing a handgun at the two deputies, who fired back, according to Holmes.
After he fell to the ground deputies gave Wilder CPR until firefighters and medics from Emergency Services District Number Three arrived.
Wilder had an outstanding felony warrant in Texas, according to Holmes.
The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office is working in conjunction with the Texas Rangers on the investigation.
Neither deputy was injured in the shooting which left a bullet hole in the deputies' patrol unit.
Deputies found Wilder's handgun at the scene according to a news release from the sheriff's office..
Man dies after shootout with Jefferson County deputies in China early Tuesday morning
The two deputies were placed on administrative leave while the shooting is investigated.
The Texas Rangers are investigating the shooting which is standard procedure in a shooting involving law enforcement.
The last time a Jefferson County deputy was involved in a shooting was in November 2020 when a 59-year-old man was fatally shot by a deputy during a standoff.
The man had barricaded himself in a home n the north end of the county and was threatening to kill his father according the office of the Texas Attorney General.
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
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