Larry Deshaye Hardman, a 43-year-old African American male, tragically lost his life on July 17, 2022, in Chappell Hill, Texas. The incident occurred on Chadwick Hogan Road, where deputies from the Washington County Sheriff's Office responded to a shooting call around 5:30 p.m. Upon arrival, they found Hardman with a gunshot wound. Despite the efforts of Washington County EMS, Hardman was pronounced dead at the scene.
The suspect in this case, 35-year-old Justin Jervan Thomas, also from Chappell Hill, was present at the scene and was immediately taken into custody. Thomas, who is also African American, was charged with murder and held at the Washington County Jail on a $750,000 bond. The investigation into the circumstances leading to the shooting was conducted by criminal investigators from the sheriff's office and the Texas Rangers.
Further developments in the case revealed that Thomas had posted bail on September 2, 2022. However, he was later involved in a fatal car crash on September 8, 2022, in Washington County. The crash occurred around 10:45 p.m. on Highway 105 near FM 2193, where Thomas's vehicle veered off the road, struck a concrete culvert, and caught fire. Thomas was pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation into the crash is ongoing, with authorities considering the possibility of it being an intentional act.
The tragic death of Larry Deshaye Hardman and the subsequent events surrounding Justin Jervan Thomas have left the Chappell Hill community in shock. The investigation into the shooting and the circumstances leading to Thomas's death continue to be a focus for law enforcement agencies.
