The Brownwood Police Department issued the following press release Wednesday evening:

On Wednesday, December 27, 2023, at approximately 2:48 p.m., Brownwood Communications received an emergency call from a citizen who reported that they just witnessed a shooting in the area of 5th St and Ave E.

Emergency responders arrived in the area and located a male victim who had sustained a single gunshot wound. The scene was secured, and witnesses relayed information about the suspect and that he fled the scene in a pickup.

At approximately 2:56 p.m., Early PD officer Taylor Fletcher observed a pickup matching the suspect’s description, traveling on US Hwy 183. A traffic stop was initiated which turned into a vehicle pursuit for a brief time. The suspect eventually pulled over and was taken into custody without further incident.

The victim was identified as 32-year-old Taylor David Hart of Zephyr. Hart was transported by AMR ambulance service to the Hendrick-Brownwood Medical Center ER where lifesaving measures continued to be taken. At approximately 3:44 p.m., he was pronounced deceased by the attending physician. 

The suspect was identified as 25-year-old Joseph Dean Williamson of Early. Williamson was transported to the Brownwood Law Enforcement Center where he met with Brownwood detectives. He was then escorted to the Brown County Jail where he was charged with Evading in a Vehicle (Early PD) and with Murder.

This remains an active, complex, investigation and no further information is available at this time.