April 16th 2024
***Press Release***
Re: Gonzales County Sheriff Office Case# 22-00038
Homicide: Brandon O'Quinn Rasberry
On January 18th 2022 the Gonzales County Sheriff's Office responded to the Lazy J RV Park located at 85 Wild Meadow Nixon, Texas for a report of an unresponsive male at the location. The RV Park owner received a call from Holmes Foods that one of his tenants had not reported to work in two days. The owner entered the RV after repeatedly knocking on the door and not receiving an answer. The owner discovered Brandon deceased.
Responding Deputies discovered Brandon O'Quinn Rasberry White Male DOB 08-31-1989 had been murdered. Brandon had been shot in the head one time. The Gonzales County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Division and the Texas Department of Public Safety Ranger Division conducted the investigation. Several items of evidence were located, collected and sent to the Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Laboratory in Austin, Texas for forensic analysis. Investigators also wrote search warrants for GEO Location data on Brandon's Cellular Phone as well as any other cell phones in the area at the time of the murder, that didn't provide any new leads.
An autopsy was performed by the Travis County Medical Examiner's office in Austin, Texas. The results from the autopsy showed Brandon was shot one time in the head, and had two minor graze wounds, one on the right middle finger and the other on the left index finger, no other trauma was observed on his body. The medical examiner concluded cause of death was a gunshot wound of the head and manner of death was Homicide. Based on information gathered from the scene, witness statements and the autopsy report from the medical examiner it was estimated Brandon had been deceased for approximately two days prior to law enforcements arrival.
At the time of his death Brandon was 32 years old. Brandon worked for Holmes Foods in Nixon, Texas and had been employed there for approximately three months. Brandon moved to the Lazy J RV Park four days before he was discovered deceased in his R.V.
All possible witnesses were spoken to and interviewed by investigators during the investigation and all leads were exhausted.
On Friday April 12th 2024 the Gonzales County Sheriff's Office received a call from a Nixon Smiley Independent School District Principle, who reported a ten year old male student had threatened to assault and kill another student on a bus on Thursday evening April 11th 2024. The school district conducted a threat assessment on the student and as a result of the assessment they contacted the Gonzales County Sheriff's Office. A Deputy was dispatched to the school to take a report and complete an investigation. When the Deputy arrived he spoke with school officials who informed the Deputy the child made a statement that he shot and killed a man two years ago.
Based on this information the Deputy contacted the Gonzales County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Division. Investigators determined based on the information the child told the school, the child may have knowledge about the murder of Brandon. The child was transported to a child advocacy center where a forensic interview was conducted. During the interview the ten year old child described in detail that two years ago he shot and killed a man in a trailer in Nixon, Texas.
The ten year old child provided information that was consistent with first-hand knowledge of the homicide of Brandon Rasberry. The child stated he was visiting his grandfather at his house on the afternoon of Sunday January 16th 2022. It was determined at the time of Brandon's death, the child's grandfather and Brandon lived in the same RV Park a few lots apart. The ten year old stated he obtained a pistol from the glove box of his grandfather's truck. The child described the pistol as a 9 millimeter pistol "dirt and army green" in color.
The child informed investigators he then entered the RV belonging to Brandon. The Child stated he observed Brandon sleeping in his bed and approached Brandon and discharged the firearm into Brandon striking him one time in the head. The child stated as he was leaving the RV he discharged the firearm another time into the couch inside the RV. The child then exited the RV and returned the firearm to the glovebox of the truck.
When asked, the child stated he had never met Brandon, and did not know who he was although he had observed him walking around the RV earlier in the day. The child was also asked if he was mad at Brandon for some reason or if Brandon had ever done anything to him to make him mad, the child stated no.
On Friday April 12th 2024 investigators were able to locate the firearm that was used to murder Brandon at a pawn shop in Seguin, Texas and secured the firearm as evidence. The child informed investigators during the interview the gun had been pawned by his grandfather. Investigators enlisted the help of the Gonzales County Attorney's Office, the Texas Department of Child Protective Services and Gonzales County Juvenile Probation to aid in the investigation. On April 17th 2024 Investigators transported two spent shell casings that were collected from the scene of the murder to the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms San Antonio Field Office for forensic analysis and comparison using NIBIN (National Integrated Ballistic Information Network). It was discovered the firearm that was seized as evidence was the firearm that was used to commit the murder of Brandon.
Because of the severity of the crime and because of the continued concern for the child's mental wellbeing the child was placed on a 72 hour emergency detention. The child was transported to a psychiatric hospital in San Antonio, Texas for evaluation and treatment. Upon release from the hospital the child was transported from San Antonio to the Gonzales County Sheriff's Office. Once at the Sheriff's Office the child was booked in on charges relating to the school bus incident for Terroristic Threat (Texas Penal Code 22.07) and the child was placed in detention by Gonzales County Juvenile Probation to await his court date at a later time.
Because of the child's age, Texas Penal Code 8.07 states that a child does not have criminal culpability until they reach the age of ten years old. At the time of the murder the juvenile suspect was seven years old, one week shy of his 8th birthday. Therefore charges for murder will not be filed and cannot be accepted by the Gonzales County Attorney's Office for consideration of prosecution in accordance with state law.
Media point of contact is the Texas Department of Public Safety San Antonio Office (210)531-1000 or (210)531-2280
MULTIJURISDICTIONAL TASK FORCE:
On Friday, February 5th, 2021, members of the Gonzales County Sheriff's Office assisted Federal Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in executing a search warrant.
The search warrant was executed in the 900 block of U.S. Hwy 87, in the City of Smiley, Texas.
Caleb Nathaniel Oliver, 19, of Smiley, Texas was identified by federal agents, as a person of interest, in connection with the search warrant. The search warrant was executed without incident.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is currently investigating this case for the unlawful possession of a machine gun.
Attached is the official press release from the Department of Justice.
For Immediate Release:
On Thursday, February 11th, 2021 at 0924a.m., members of the Gonzales County Sheriff's Office responded to the 1300 block of County Road 302, for a call of a possible suicide victim.
Upon the arrival of deputies, a female individual was found to have suffered a gunshot injury to the upper torso area. The female victim was later identified as Dana H Tipps, 40, of San Marcos, Texas.
Gonzales County deputies and investigators assisted with processing and securing the scene. Gonzales County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) attended to the victim who had succumbed to her injuries.
the victim was later pronounced deceased at the scene by Justice of the Peace, Precinct #1, Deidra Voigt. The deceased's next of kin were immediately notified upon securing the scene.
The cause of the shooting is still under investigation by the Gonzales County Sheriff's Office, and pending an autopsy by the Travis County Medical Examiner's Office. The investigation is ongoing.
Sincerely,
Christopher Aviles
Chief Deputy
Media Relations
IN MEMORIUM:
Today, the Gonzales County Sheriff's Office mourns the loss of a former Deputy, Deputy Matthew D. Krupa, Badge #623.
Deputy Krupa was a native of Pennsylvania and relocated to Texas to pursue a career as a Texas Peace Officer.
After a career with the Gonzales County Sheriff's Office, Deputy Krupa became a Police Officer for the Northside Independent School District in San Antonio, Texas.
Tragedy struck out law enforcement family when Officer Krupa was involved in a fatal vehicle accident.
Our prayers and condolences are with the Krupa family, as we honor his memory and mourn his loss. The following is dedicated to Deputy Matthew Krupa #623.
"Running through the center of darkness lies the thin blue line of law enforcement. This line honors the heroes behind the badge. The good men and women who place themselves as a barrier for those in need. Night and day their bravery serves as a light in darkness."
-The Thin Blue Line
TEAM WORK:
Today, the Gonzales County Sheriff's Office teamed up with several local law-enforcement, emergency services, and emergency management agencies in combating the COVID-19 virus.
The effort was to provide services for the COVID-19 vaccine clinic that was held today at the JB Wells Arena, and Expo Center.
Special thanks goes out to ALL the first responders who came together and worked collectively to assure the operation ran fluidly and efficiently!
Together, hundreds of vaccines were administered to the local community to help protect them from the COVID-19 virus!
Sheriff Matt Atkinson is proud to announce a new Crime Prevention Outreach Program. The GCSO supports our county Neighborhood Watch groups and encourages all our residents to participate in locally established programs if possible. The Sheriff is dedicated to assisting any local Neighborhood Watch group with the resources and guidance in the creation and implementation of a new or current program, and has purchased several signs and stickers that can be picked up the Sheriff’s Office free of charge.
The National Neighborhood Watch program is a division of the National Sheriffs’ Association focusing on “Crime prevention through neighborhood cohesiveness and collaboration.” For those interested in more information on the National Neighborhood Watch or other crime prevention resources, Sheriff Atkinson encourages you to visit their website at nnw.org or gonzalescountysheriff.org. Anyone interested in picking up a Neighborhood Watch or Business Watch sticker for their home or business, or a placard for their fence or gate, can contact the Sheriff’s Office at 830.672.6524 and ask for Captain Dennis Jahns.
The Gonzales County Sheriff’s Office recently hosted a two day training course presented by Texas Operation Lifesaver focusing on Rail Safety Education. This particular session was Law Enforcement specific and provided training on Grade Crossing Collision Investigations, as well as, safe and effective Railroad Incident Management for Law Enforcement. Attending the training along with Sheriff Atkinson, were officers with the Gonzales County Sheriff’s Office, Gonzales Police Department, Dewitt County Sheriff’s Office and Lavaca County Sheriff’s Office. Operation Lifesaver is nonprofit public safety education and awareness organization dedicated to reducing collisions, fatalities and injuries at public and private rail crossings and trespassing on or near railroad tracks. Anyone interested in learning more about Operation Lifesaver can go to their website at oli.org.
Recently, the entire staff of the Gonzales County Sheriff's Office received training from Gonzales EMS on "Stop the Bleed;" which is a national awareness campaign to encourage people to become trained, equipped, and empowered to help in a bleeding emergency before professional help arrives. As a part of the training, individual kits were provided to the Sheriff's Office for use by the Patrol Division. Pictured is Gonzales EMS Director Allen Linebrink, along with EMS personnel, presenting Stop the Bleed kits to Sheriff Matthew Atkinson and members of his staff.