Disabled veteran Jason Nelson has been cleared of wrongdoing after shooting and killing a man who was assaulting three women at a Waco hotel in July. Nelson’s actions were deemed justified by a grand jury, with his attorney stating he is grateful for the decision. Tommy Witherspoon reported
Disabled Veteran Cleared of Wrongdoing in Shooting Death of Assailant
Introduction
A disabled veteran, Jason Nelson, has been cleared of any wrongdoing after shooting and killing a man who was assaulting three women at a downtown Waco hotel in July. The McLennan County grand jury determined that Nelson’s actions were justified under the circumstances, bringing relief to both Nelson and his attorney, Bryan Cantrell.
The Disturbing Night at the Hotel Indigo
Nelson and his wife, Amanda, who have four young children, were looking forward to a restful night out at the Hotel Indigo on Clay Ave. However, their plans took a dramatic turn when they were awakened by the screams of distressed women at around 3 a.m. According to Cantrell, Nelson, a disabled veteran with experience serving in an Army special operations unit in Afghanistan, decided to investigate the situation.
Nelson’s Attempt to Defuse the Situation
Armed with his .45-caliber pistol, Nelson went a few doors down the hall to confront the source of the commotion. Upon arriving at the scene, he heard the women crying out that a man was threatening to kill them. In an attempt to protect the women, Nelson knocked on the door, where he was met by an angry man later identified as Jared Searles, who demanded to know what Nelson wanted.
Despite the tense situation, Nelson tried to calm Searles down and requested that he step outside the room so the women could lock the door. However, Searles responded with curses and retreated back into the room, continuing to threaten the women. Undeterred, Nelson knocked on the door again, prompting Searles to lunge at him before retreating once more.
Nelson persisted and knocked on the door a third time. This time, when Searles answered, he managed to move him away from the doorway. However, instead of calming down, Searles assaulted Nelson, lifting him by the neck and throwing him against the wall. Fearing for his life, Nelson reached for his weapon and discharged it, fatally shooting Searles. Despite the traumatic incident, Nelson remained at the scene and provided aid to Searles before authorities arrived.
The Aftermath and Counseling
The incident left Nelson and his wife deeply shaken, prompting them to seek counseling to cope with the emotional aftermath. The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on them, and professional support was necessary to navigate through the trauma.
The Grand Jury’s Decision
McLennan County District Attorney Josh Tetens expressed his gratitude towards the Waco Police Department for their thorough investigation and commended the grand jury for their careful deliberations. Ultimately, the grand jury’s decision to no-bill Nelson validates the belief that his actions were justifiable given the circumstances.
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