A Texas mother confronted her “very sweaty” son when he showed up at her doorstep after allegedly killing a woman with a machete-like weapon.
The unnamed mother told McLennan County sheriff’s deputies that she walked out of her home in rural China Spring on Saturday and saw her son, 36-year-old Richard Tanner Ozment, standing outside, “very sweaty.” KWTX reports.
She said she tried to get around her son, but he got in her way, so she eventually pushed him away so she could get past.
That’s when, the woman said, she saw a human foot behind a camper on her property. As she got closer, she said, she saw a badly injured woman, later identified as 38-year-old Michaela Brooker.
“What did you do?” the mother asked her son, according to court documents, to which he replied, “She [the murder victim] tried to stab me.’
Richard Tanner Ozment, 36, has been arrested for allegedly killing a woman with a machete-like weapon on September 21
The victim was identified as 38-year-old Michaela Brooker, mother of one
According to police, the mother ran back inside at that point and Ozment’s father called 911.
Firefighters from China Spring were the first on the scene and saw a man running from the home, KWTX reports.
When deputies arrived later, they searched the area but were unable to locate Ozment.
Meanwhile, emergency workers treated Brooker, a mother of one, who suffered “extensive injuries, primarily to her head,” arrest records show.
She was taken to hospital by helicopter, where she died of her injuries.
Eventually, approximately 10 hours later, mounted officers, along with K9s, found Ozment hiding in a cattle tank near the crime scene.
According to authorities, Ozment fled shortly after his parents called 911.
Sheriff’s deputies later found him hiding in a cattle tank near the crime scene
Sheriff Parnell McNamara said at a news conference that Brooker’s death was the result of a “domestic dispute,” but would not elaborate on the exact relationship between the suspect and the victim.
“This is one of the most horrific, brutal and senseless attacks we have seen in a long time,” he said. “It should never have happened.
“This man who we believe committed this horrific and brutal murder has been sentenced to 40 years in prison,” he added. “He served about 10 years, went on probation, and then committed this horrific crime.
“He should never have come out, but he did.”
The sheriff was referring to Ozment’s 2014 arrest at age 25 for taking photographs outside China Spring Elementary School.
He was accused of failing to register as a sex offender and admitted to being involved in several burglaries of local churches.
Ozment was sentenced to 40 years in prison, but was released on parole after 10 years.
He had previously been arrested and convicted of aggravated sexual assault at the age of 16, and three years later Ozment was arrested on suspicion of making terroristic threats.
Ozment has a long criminal history dating back to the age of 16
Ozment is currently being held in McLennan County Jail on a $1 million bond for murder, but will be held without bail on a charge of violating his probation.
Meanwhile, Brookers are friends raise money for her family.
In the online fundraiser, Brooker is described as a “beloved mother, daughter and friend”.
“During this incredibly difficult time, we are asking for your support to help cover unexpected expenses and ensure her family can grieve without worrying about bills, food, gas, and child support,” it reads.
“Every donation goes directly to these costs so we can focus on celebrating her life and grieving our loss.”
As of Wednesday evening, the GoFundMe had raised more than $6,000 for the family.