Residents speak about intense moments during Brownwood police shootout

Imagine waking up in the middle of the night to the sound of rapid and continuous gunfire. This is precisely what the residents along Norwood Street in Brownwood experienced when 59-year-old Holly Edward Oliver engaged in a shootout with the Brownwood police. One resident, Christopher Egger, who lives directly across from the incident’s location, was home that evening and captured parts of the shootout on his home surveillance camera. He provided detailed accounts of what he witnessed.

“When they pulled the guy out of the truck, the SWAT team came. They had the little shield up, and they were yelling at him to get out. But there was no moving. And then they pulled him out, put him on his belly, put him in handcuffs, turned him back over, and started doing CPR on him,” Egger recalled.

A statement from the Brownwood Police Department detailed how the incident began when Oliver’s wife called the police to report that her husband was outside in their front yard firing a gun. Officers were dispatched to the scene, but by the time they arrived, Oliver had already left.

Officials from the Brownwood Police Department stated that they are unable to confirm certain details regarding the incident.

Oliver fled the second scene in his truck until he was confronted by more officers in a residential neighborhood on Norwood Street, where the final exchange of gunfire between him and the officers took place. According to Brownwood police, it was during this encounter that Oliver shot one officer multiple times, who was then transported to the hospital.

During the shootout, a 13-year-old boy named John Wilkerson was also present in the home. He recognized the officer who was shot from their previous encounters at school. Wilkerson sent a heartfelt message to the officer, who is a friend of his.

“He used to come to my school a lot and talk to me. We would kind of talk about comic books, Marvel stuff. I would want to wish him to get better soon, and I hope he’s all right,” Wilkerson shared.

The statement from the Brownwood Police Department indicates that the officer was shot multiple times and was taken to Hendrick-Brownwood Emergency Room, where he is currently listed in good condition. According to those familiar with the officer, he underwent surgery for his injuries. The procedure was successful, and he is now in recovery.