“Vernon Man Bradford Thompson on Trial for Fatal Shooting of Andre Ray Sandoval in Wilbarger County”

Accident – Death – Obituary News : WILBARGER COUNTY (KFDX/KJTL) — The trial of Bradford Thompson, a resident of Vernon, commenced on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, in Wilbarger County. Thompson stands accused of the fatal shooting of 27-year-old Andre Ray Sandoval on October 11, 2022.

During the trial, several witnesses took the stand, including individuals present at the scene and a former police officer who had been dispatched to the area four days prior to the shooting to ask Sandoval to vacate the premises.

The defense team requested the former police officer to recall any previous incidents he might have responded to before the shooting. The witness stated that although he could remember such incidents, he couldn’t pinpoint an exact time other than sometime in October 2022.

To counter the defense’s line of questioning, District Attorney Staley Heatly presented the witness with a filed report. Upon reading the report, the witness confirmed that it was taken on October 7, 2022. The witness further stated that while Sandoval was not involved in any illegal activities, he was considered “unwanted” in the area.

The former Vernon PD officer recollected his interaction with Thompson, who had expressed his concern, stating, “Vernon PD needs to do something about this.” The officer, who was off-duty during the shooting but on-call, was summoned to the scene and arrived just after 7 p.m.

During his testimony, the officer discussed his discovery of the alleged firearms and his knowledge of the deceased victim, identified as Sandoval. He was responsible for collecting evidence and documenting the crime scene.

The officer identified the collected evidence, including shell casings, projectiles, and the alleged weapons, by the markings and seals bearing his name, initials, and the date of the incident.

Two witnesses who were present at the scene testified, recalling seeing Thompson standing over a lifeless body. One witness, who had gone to the American Legion to activate the air conditioner for a monthly meeting, noticed an individual sitting across the street. She described the person as a Hispanic male dressed in dark clothing.

Upon returning to the scene approximately an hour later, the witness heard a loud gunshot, followed by several more. She stepped outside and witnessed Thompson standing over the body, whom she had seen earlier. She expressed disbelief at the sight before her.

Another witness, while driving north on Deaf Smith from the Boys and Girls Club, heard a loud boom, similar to that of a firework, at the intersection of Deaf Smith and Paradise. As he continued driving, he heard another boom and noticed Thompson standing over a body, allegedly firing multiple rounds.

The witness recalled seeing “a man on the ground and a man with a rifle over him.” After Thompson finished firing from a rifle and two pistols, he returned to his truck, placed the guns in the bed, removed his shirt, lit a cigarette, and anxiously awaited the arrival of the police, with his hands over his head.

Both witnesses positively identified Thompson in the courtroom, and their identification was documented in the official record.

At around 2:30 p.m., Judge Cornell Curtis called for a recess and instructed the jury to reconvene on Thursday, December 14, 2023, at 9 a.m. to continue the trial.

Please note that this is an ongoing story. Stay tuned to Texoma’s Homepage for the latest updates as more information becomes available..