BRAZOS COUNTY, Texas (KBTX) – The man accused of shooting two Brazos Valley officers and prominent officials in a 12-hour manhunt in 2022 was found guilty of Aggravated Assault on a Public Servant in a single shooting Thursday morning.

In this portion of his trial, Joshua Herrin was found guilty of shooting and wounding Bryan Police Department officer Najee Watson. The jury deliberated for seven minutes on Herrin’s guilty verdict.

According to witness testimony heard in the 361st District Court, Officer Watson attempted to pull Herrin over in December 2022 because his vehicle’s taillight was blown. Herrin told the jury he refused to be pulled over because his license was suspended. Eventually, Herrin shot Watson in the arm and leg and stole his car just before the manhunt.

KBTX spoke with Watson on Thursday following the decision. He said he was waiting for a guilty verdict but was glad the jury saw all the evidence to reach that conclusion. He added that it was unfortunate that a simple traffic stop could get so out of control.

Herrin’s trial officially began Tuesday and concluded Thursday morning. The penalty phase began Thursday afternoon.

At this stage the focus shifted from Watson’s injuries to the Brazos County Sheriff’s Deputy who was shot and wounded by Herrin during the manhunt.

Sergeant Brittany Re was shot by Herrin just hours after the altercation with Watson. Sergeant. I located one of the vehicles Herrin was driving and began following him. After following Herrin for several minutes, gunfire from an AR-15 opened from Herrin’s vehicle, hitting Re’s patrol car. While trying to notify other responding officers, Herrin stopped his vehicle in what Re, other deputies and attorneys called an “ambush,” striking Re in the shoulder and causing him to be blinded by shrapnel. He again stated that his eyesight was never the same.

The jury was shown body-worn camera and dashcam videos of Re’s response that day. This caused an emotional reaction from Watson, who had to leave the room during the video.

It was an emotional hearing as law enforcement officers from across the county joined the audience in not only supporting the lawmen but also reliving their response to capture Herrin.

The penalty phase of this case is expected to begin next week.

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