Penalty phase for Bryan officer's 2022 shooting injury begins, focus shifts to Brazos Co. deputy

BRAZOS COUNTY, Texas (KBTX) – The man accused of shooting two Brazos Valley police officers and top authorities during a 12-hour manhunt in 2022 was found guilty Thursday morning of aggravated assault on a public servant in a single shooting.

In this part 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 testimony heard in the 361st District Court, Officer Watson tried to pull over Herrin in December 2022 because his vehicle had a broken taillight. Herrin told the jury he refused to stop because his driver’s license was suspended. Ultimately, Herrin shot Watson in the arm and leg and then stole his car just before a manhunt.

KBTX spoke with Watson on Thursday following the verdict. He said he expected the guilty verdict but was grateful the jury was allowed to see all the evidence to reach that conclusion. He added that it is unfortunate that a simple traffic stop has gotten so out of hand.

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

This phase shifts the focus from Watson’s injuries to the Brazos County Sheriff’s deputy, who was also shot and wounded by Herrin during the manhunt.

Sergeant Brittany Re was shot by Herrin just hours after the altercation with Watson. Sergeant recovered one of the vehicles Herrin was driving and began pursuing him. After following Herrin for a few minutes, shots from an AR-15 came from Herrin’s vehicle, striking Re’s patrol car. While she was working 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 blinding her with shrapnel. Re testified that her eyesight was never the same.

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

KBTX News 3 on six business days EXTENDED (recurring)

This has been an emotional ordeal, as law enforcement officers from across the province have joined the crowd in not only supporting their fellow attorneys, but also reliving the response they all did to finally catch Herrin.

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