Gunshot Victim Arrested for Assault

By Will Johnson
Messenger Reporter

HOUSTON COUNTY – Karma can be a fickle lady, yet sometimes she can be quick to respond. An example of this can be seen in the case of Houston County resident Bryan Swoveland who was shot on Aug, 25 and then arrested on Aug. 27 on one count of injury to a child, a disabled person or the elderly.

The arrest stemmed from the shooting incident on Aug. 25 when Swoveland was shot by Ella Marie Broussard, as described in a previous article in this edition of The Messenger.

Swoveland, 52, was transported by air ambulance to a Tyler area hospital for further treatment of his wounds and is expected to make a full recovery.

His recovery may occur in a jail cell, however, as the investigation into the shooting revealed Swoveland physically assaulted an elderly man, prior to being shot.

According to an affidavit of probable cause, Houston County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Matthew Van Egmond responded to a call in reference to an assault at 1459 CR 2125 in Crockett.

Following the arrest of Broussard and the transport of Swoveland to the hospital, Van Egmond continued his investigation and spoke with an elderly male subject who alleged Swoveland had assaulted him.

“(The assault victim) stated that Swoveland was intoxicated due to him drinking alcohol and Swoveland became irate. (The victim) also stated that when Swoveland became irate, Swoveland began throwing objects in the residence and at one point struck (the victim) twice with a closed fist,” the affidavit reported.

The HCSO deputy observed two marks on the victim where he had been struck and requested EMS to look at the injuries. Because of a high heart rate, the assault victim was taken to an area hospital.

When Swoveland was released from the hospital, he was arrested and transported to the Houston County Jail where he was booked into custody on one count of injury to a child, a disabled person or the elderly, a third degree felony.

According to Section 12.34 of the Texas Penal Code, “An individual adjudged guilty of a felony of the third degree shall be punished by imprisonment in the institutional division for any term of not more than 10 years or less than two years. In addition to imprisonment, an individual adjudged guilty of a felony of the third degree may be punished by a fine not to exceed $10,000.”

Swoveland is being held at the Houston County Jail on a $20,000 bond.

Will Johnson may be contacted via e-mail at [email protected].

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