Off-duty Tarrant County Sheriff's Office deputy Brent Brown shot in East Fort Worth
TARRANT COUNTY (CBSNewsTexas.com) - Tarrant County Sheriff's Office deputy Brent Brown was shot Monday while working off-duty as a security guard at the Fort Worth Community Credit Union on Brentwood Stair Road.
"It hits close to home when an officer is violently injured like this, so we ask for prayers from the public," said Fort Worth Police Chief Neil Noakes.
The shooting happened Nov. 27 just before 4 p.m. and within minutes of officers arriving, they found the glass of the front door of the business shattered by bullets.
MedStar emergency response workers also arrived, and discovered Brown suffering from a gunshot wound to his lower abdomen and another in his upper chest. They took him to JPS hospital, where he underwent surgery. Police later told CBS News Texas that Brown is expected to make a full recovery.
Fort Worth police confirmed that Leland Williams, 35, was arrested after a four hour standoff at his mother's house. He's accused of attempted capital murder.
Williams' bond is currently set at $1 million after public outcry over the initial amount of $100,000. A state district judge signed a new bond order on Nov. 28 after current Tarrant County Commissioner and former police officer Manny Ramirez demanded a bond increase.
"I was absolutely disgusted when I saw it," said Ramirez. "One-hundred-thousand dollars is absolutely ridiculous."
Regarding the case against Williams, District Attorney Phil Sorrells said in a news release, "I am going to make sure that, like Officer Brown, we go the extra mile in seeking justice."
A man whose wife is a teller at the credit union told CBS News Texas reporter Jason Allen that she witnessed the shooting.
"Brent stood his ground, did his duty, and the nobility of what he did today is what law enforcement expects out of all of our officers. But he did it well, and he rose to the nobility with courage and distinction," shared Sheriff Bill Waybourn. "Evil walks boldly among us and we must not forget that."
While Brown's brothers in blue showed their support at the hospital Monday night, others took to social media to express their thoughts about the shooting.
Tarrant County Judge Tim O'Hare took to X, stating: "Please join me in praying for one of our Tarrant County Sheriff's Deputies. He was shot twice today while working security off-duty. He is currently in surgery."
Please join me in praying for one of our Tarrant County Sheriff’s Deputies. He was shot twice today while working security off-duty. He is currently in surgery.
— Tim O'Hare, Tarrant County Judge (@TimothyOHare) November 27, 2023
Brown has served with the sheriff's office since 2011. He's currently assigned to the warrant division.