On Monday, May 27, 2019, at approximately 11:30 pm, officers with the Brownwood Police Department were investigating a report of a Domestic Disturbance in the 300 block of Hackberry Street in Brownwood when they heard a rapid series of gunshots nearby.

According to a news release from the Brownwood Police Department, the gunshots appeared to have originated at the next residence; located on a side street.  Officers proceeded to that location and continued walking closer to the sound of gunfire.  As the gunfire ceased, officers located John Lee Hester, 62, walking from the backyard of a residence in the 1600 block of Dublin St.  Hester had blood on his shirt and his speech was heavily slurred, according to the report.

Officers were able to determine that Hester was the source of the gunfire after recovering a .22 caliber Ruger rifle from his residence.  Over 20 spent bullet casings were located where Hester was first observed.  According to the report, Hester was highly intoxicated and claimed to be shooting out the tires of a vehicle being used by thieves.  No suspects/citizens were located in this area and it is believed that Hester was shooting at an abandoned vehicle located within the block.

Hester was arrested and transported to the Brown County Jail where he was charged with the offense of Deadly Conduct/Discharge of a Firearm.  According to jail records, his bond is set at $30,000.