One dead after officer-involved shooting in Bell County

UPDATE: The deceased has been identified as 39-year-old Alva Gwinn of Fort Hood. 

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, he suffered from a self-inflicted gunshot to the head. 

The Texas Rangers are currently conducting an investigation. 

 


 

Around 1:10 p.m. Thursday, Williamson County deputies began searching for a man Fort Hood officials had concerns about. They eventually located him just west of Florence.

“They were going to try and talk to the person that they were checking the welfare on and then the suspect in this case fled the scene and deputies then pursued the suspect,” said Williamson County Sheriff Robert Chody. 

The man drove west on Highway 195 eventually crossing into Bell County with Williamson County deputies tailing him the whole way. “Speeds reached over 110 mph and the pursuit ended… when the suspect entered onto private property,” Chody said. 

At that point, there were additional law enforcement agencies involved.

Chody said the suspect jumped out of the car and started running away.

“I can tell you the suspect had a weapon on him. He did fire at least one shot,” said Chody. 

Deputies fired back. “The suspect did go down. I don't know if that came from the Williamson County Sheriff's Office or somebody else,” Chody said. 

Officers performed CPR, but the suspect was pronounced dead on scene just before 2pm.
               
“We did not want the result that we have here, but that wasn't the choice, at least from what I'm seeing here now, that was not the choice of my deputies,” said Chody.

The Williamson County Sheriff's deputy involved will be placed on administrative duty as is standard protocol for any officer involved in a shooting.
               
The Texas Rangers and Bell County Sheriff's Department have taken over the investigation.