Shots fired in Brown County

EARLY, Texas ( KTAB/KRBC ) – According to the Early Police Department, at approximately 5:15 p.m. on October 8, an Early police officer was on his way to work and found a white pickup truck making a U-turn in front of him and speeding up to 80 miles per hour.

The officer pursued the vehicle to investigate the erratic driving, stopping near County Road 557. As the officer approached the car, the driver refused to roll the window down. Once the driver opened the door was opened, the driver was holding a handgun to his chest in the direction of the officer.

Early PD officer retreated, telling dispatch that the man had a gun and requested other units. The driver stayed in the pickup with the door closed and did not communicate with officers for some time.

Officers from the Brown County Sheriff’s Office, the Texas DPS, the Lake Patrol, and the Brownwood Police Department arrived and joined Early PD on their call for help. The Brown County SWAT team was placed on standby and responded to the scene to assist when needed. Highway 279 was closed in both directions to maintain the safety of the public and officers.

Negotiators from the Brown County Sherriff’s Office spoke with the driver for approximately two hours. According to Early PD, at one point, the driver allegedly shot a gun into the woods and not in the direction of anyone. The driver eventually threw the gun out of the window and stepped out of the vehicle, obeying commands and surrendering to officers.

The driver was taken to Hendrick Medical Center in Brownwood, where the Center for Life Resources will evaluate him.

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