Autopsy: Suspect who exchanged fire with deputies died of self-inflicted gunshot wound

Jefferson County — KFDM/Fox 4 News has learned that a suspect who exchanged gunfire with deputies after he was stopped on his motorcycle while driving the wrong way on Highway 90, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace Justin Chesson tells KFDM/Fox 4 News the autopsy results confirm Brandon Wilder, 33, of Indiana, died from a self-inflicted single gunshot wound to the head. The manner of death is suicide.

Judge Chesson says Wilder wasn't struck by the bullets deputies fired after he shot at them during the traffic stop February 7.

The deputies weren't injured in the exchange of gunfire.

The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office says the encounter with Wilder began when a deputy who was patrolling eastbound on Highway 90 shortly after 1 a.m. Tuesday, February 7, saw a motorcyclist traveling westbound in the eastbound lane of traffic.

The deputy activated his lights and siren and conducted a traffic stop on Highway 90 near Broadway in China.

The rider of the motorcycle stopped, pulled out a handgun and began firing at the deputy, and another who arrived at the scene, according to the sheriff's office, striking a patrol unit several times. The deputies returned fire.

Investigators say after exchanging gunfire with deputies, Wilder turned the gun on himself. The armed suspect fell to the ground. Deputies administered CPR until first responders with ESD#3 arrived.

Despite efforts to revive Wilder, he died at the scene. Investigators recovered his firearm.

The Sheriff's Office says there was a felony warrant for Wilder's arrest, unrelated to the incident February 7.

The Texas Rangers are overseeing the investigation.

Jefferson County District Attorney Keith Giblin tells KFDM/Fox 4 that once the investigation is complete, the Rangers will turn it over to his office. They'll likely take it to a grand jury, which is standard procedure in a use of force case.

"I'm grateful for the safety of our officers," Giblin told KFDM/Fox 4.

As per policy, both deputies will be placed on administrative leave with pay, pending the outcome of the investigation.

According to KFDM records, the last deputy-involved fatal shooting in Jefferson County was in November 2020 during a family disturbance involving a gun. The suspect died at a hospital.