Williamson County Sheriff's Deputy Fatally Shoots Man After High-Speed Chase

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, TX — A Williamson County deputy shot and killed a man along Texas 195 in Bell County after the suspect led officers on a chase Thursday afternoon, officials said.

The incident began with a simple welfare check during which deputies were called to check on the man's well-being, officials said. Fort Hood officials asked Williamson County sheriff's officials to look in on the man at around 1:11 p.m. west of Florence, Texas, sheriff Robert Chody said. The man apparently had been involved in a domestic disturbance with his significant other the previous night, the sheriff explained during a subsequent press conference with reporters in Bell County.

Responding deputies saw the man's car but, unsure he was inside, dispatched a drone to survey the area. Upon seeing the police, the man drove off and led police on a chase that at times exceeded 110 miles per hour, the sheriff said.

The man then exited his vehicle while brandishing a gun. He fired the weapon at least once, according to the sheriff. It was unclear late Thursday if the suspect pointed the gun at deputies.

What is clear, however, is that one of those deputies fired a shot, striking the man who was pronounced dead a short while later. The deputy responsible has been placed on administrative leave, which is protocol during an officer-involved shooting. Texas Rangers and the Bell County sheriff's office have now joined the investigation.

The Williamson County Sheriff's Office subsequently identified the deputy involved in the shooting as Jack Danford, who has been with the force since November 2005. The dead man's identify had not been released as of Sunday, Oct. 15. Patch will provide more details as they are made available.

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