BROWNWOOD, Texas – Investigation Underway for Fatal Incident at Wayside Apartments

BROWNWOOD, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – The Brownwood Police Department is currently investigating a tragic murder that took place on Wednesday, November 22, at the Wayside Apartments in Brownwood.

According to a report received by authorities at approximately 11:40 p.m., a concerned resident contacted emergency services to report a bloodied male lying unconscious on one of the staircases within the apartment complex. Promptly responding to the distress call, officers arrived on the scene to find the victim, later identified as 58-year-old Richard Leroy Kittle from Brownwood, suffering from severe head injuries caused by multiple lacerations to the head and face.

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Brownwood firefighters and AMR ambulance personnel immediately provided crucial medical attention to Kittle before transporting him to a nearby hospital. Due to the gravity of his condition, he was subsequently airlifted to the intensive care unit at Hendricks North in Abilene, where he was listed in critical condition.

At the crime scene, investigators discovered a trail of bloody footprints leading from the staircase to an apartment on the second floor. Despite their attempts to establish contact with the occupants, no response was received. Consequently, detectives from the Brownwood Police Department, realizing the seriousness of the incident, obtained a search warrant. The execution of the warrant was entrusted to the Brown County Regional SWAT team.

The search led to the apprehension of 38-year-old James David Harvey, who was the sole occupant of the apartment in question. Harvey was escorted by the Brownwood PD for questioning, during which he admitted to engaging in a fight with Kittle, thereby causing the extensive injuries observed by law enforcement.

Subsequently, Harvey was taken into custody and charged with Aggravated Assault Causing Serious Bodily Injury. He was promptly booked into the Brown County Jail, with bail set at $25,000.

Tragically, on November 23 at approximately 5:15 p.m., Brownwood detectives were informed that Kittle had succumbed to his injuries and passed away shortly before their notification. Consequently, the charge against Harvey was elevated to Murder.

Currently, Harvey remains incarcerated at the Brown County Jail, where he is being held on a $750,000 bond.