Two suspects were taken into custody early Wednesday morning following separate shooting investigations conducted by the Sealy Police Department Criminal Investigation Division.
At approximately 5 a.m., search and arrest warrants were executed by the Austin County Special Response Team (SRT) at an apartment located in the 1600 block of Highway 90 West in Sealy. The operation was part of an ongoing effort to locate individuals connected to recent shooting incidents in the area.
During the operation, officers located and arrested Anthony Lee McQueen Watkins and Rory Cordell Bratcher, both of Sealy. Authorities confirmed that both men had outstanding warrants for Deadly Conduct – Discharge of a Firearm, a third-degree felony under Texas law.
According to investigators, the charge applies when a person knowingly discharges a firearm in a way that places others in danger. This can include firing toward individuals, homes, buildings, or vehicles, even if no injuries are reported. Law enforcement officials stress that these types of incidents are taken seriously due to the potential risk to the public.
Under Texas law, a third-degree felony is punishable by 2 to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Additional charges could be possible depending on the outcome of the ongoing investigations.
Officials extended their thanks to the Austin County Sheriff’s Office and the Austin County Special Response Team for their assistance in executing the warrants and safely taking the suspects into custody.
Both investigations remain active at this time.
All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
