On the night of April 18, 2024, Earnest Williams, a 35-year-old resident of Woodville, Texas, was found with a gunshot wound to the head at a home on County Road 4770, south of Warren. Deputies from the Tyler County Sheriff's Office responded to the scene around 11:45 p.m. Williams was immediately transported to a Houston hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries two days later, on April 20, 2024.
Investigations led authorities to Cody Knight, a 33-year-old man from Town Bluff. Based on crime scene evidence and witness statements, a warrant was issued for Knight's arrest. He was apprehended at his residence early on April 19, 2024. Initially charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, the charges were elevated to murder following Williams' death. Knight's bond was subsequently increased from $500,000 to $1,000,000. During a search of Knight's home, deputies seized a .22 caliber rifle as evidence.
The incident has left the local community in shock, as both individuals were known residents of the area. The Tyler County Sheriff's Office continues to investigate the circumstances leading up to the shooting. Authorities have not disclosed a possible motive, and it remains unclear if there was any prior relationship between Williams and Knight. As the legal process unfolds, more details may emerge to shed light on this tragic event.
