FORT WORTH, Texas—A Tarrant County jury has sentenced Leland Earl Williams, 37, to 95 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to aggravated assault against a public servant for shooting a sheriff’s deputy inside a Fort Worth credit union, the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office announced.
According to prosecutors, the shooting occurred on Nov. 27, 2023, when Tarrant County Sheriff’s Deputy Brent Brown was working off-duty as a security guard at the Fort Worth Community Credit Union on Brentwood Stair Road. Williams stood up from a seat in the lobby, approached Deputy Brown, and fired multiple shots at close range, striking the deputy.
Despite being shot, Brown returned fire.
“Deputy Brown almost died that day,” Assistant District Attorney Dale Smith told jurors, adding that the deputy’s actions likely saved lives inside the credit union.
Williams fled the scene but was later arrested following a brief standoff at a relative’s home. Brown was rushed into emergency surgery and underwent months of rehabilitation. He has since recovered and returned to duty.
“This was an unprovoked, highly intentional act against Deputy Brown,” Assistant District Attorney Victoria Lydahl told the jury, urging them to consider how the community should respond when an officer is attacked.
In a statement, District Attorney Phil Sorrells praised law enforcement and prosecutors for their work on the case.
“This sentence sends a clear message: attacks on our peace officers will not be tolerated,” Sorrells said. “We stand shoulder to shoulder with law enforcement to keep Tarrant County safe.”
Section: Standard
Word Count: 320
Copyright Holder: CUToday.info
Copyright Year: 2025
Is Based On:
URL: https://www.cutoday.info/Fresh-Today/Man-Who-Shot-Deputy-Inside-Fort-Worth-Credit-Union-Gets-95-Years