Thursday, April 25, 2024
Brian Lee Hitt, 44, of Gatesville has been charged with manslaughter for "intentionally, knowingly or recklessly" causing bodily injury during a shooting incident that caused the death of Cody Clayton Milam on Sept. 16.
According to a copy of the complaint filed at the Coryell County Sheriff's Office, Sgt. Ronald Dayton was notified of a shooting in the 3500 block of County Road 142 in Gatesville.
In the report, Dayton stated: "I interviewed Hitt ... and my first observation was he had a strong odor of alcohol emitting about his person and he admitted to drinking."
Hitt told Dayton that he had gone dove hunting earlier and when he returned Milam was at his residence.
"He stated that they have played around before with pointing guns at each other," Dayton wrote in his report. "He believed the shotgun was unloaded as he approached Milam ... who was sitting in a wooden chair in front of a glass door, he pulled the trigger, and nothing happened, he pumped the slide down which chambered a round and as he pulled the trigger the shotgun went off, striking Milam ... in the upper chest and lower throat area, causing his death."
Hitt was arrested in connection with Milam's death and Hitt was transported to Coryell Memorial Hospital (Coryell Health) due to his intoxication and to be medically cleared for the jail, the report stated. He was then taken to the Coryell County Jail.
Hitt was released from jail on Sept. 18 after posting bail on a $50,000 bond.
