Rockdale Police Officers were dispatched to the 500 block of College Street last Tuesday regarding two gunshot victims. The victims, identified as Billy Norman Jr., 39, and Zachary Norman, 35, both of Rockdale, were transported to Baylor Scott & White-Temple where they were treated for non-life-threatening gunshot wounds and released.
The suspect, Troy Alden Whiteside, 43, Rockdale, barricaded himself in his residence at 542 College St. Witnesses stated Whiteside wished to engage in a gun battle with law enforcement.
Members of the Rockdale Police Department, Milam County Sheriff’s Office, Rockdale Volunteer Fire Department, Cameron Police Department, Texas Parks & Wildlife, American Medical Response and the Texas Department of Public Safety responded to the scene, set up a secure perimeter and began to evacuate nearby residents.
Members of the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office SWAT and Negotiations Teams were summoned to the scene along with members of the Central Texas Regional SWAT Team.
Upon at tempt ing to deliver a negotiations phone to the front of the residence, Whiteside opened fire on SWAT officers and surrounding law enforcement officers with what appears to be multiple .223/.556 rifles, which resulted in law enforcement returning fire.
Whi te s ide’s bul le t s struck nearby residences, vehicles and a Milam County Sheriff’s Office vehicle. No individuals were harmed.
Whiteside then called 9-1-1 to report that officers were shooting at him and that he would defend his home. Whiteside’s phone call was transferred to the Negotiations Team, who conducted a nearly sixhour crisis negotiation with Whiteside into Wednesday morning, resulting in his subsequent surrender to law enforcement at approximately 7:30 a.m. without further incident.
At the time of his arrest, Whiteside was wearing soft ballistic armor and ballistic rifle plates.
Whiteside was arrested and booked into the Milam County Jail for two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a first-degree felony. Whiteside could face additional charges for attempted capital murder, a first-degree felony.
“The Rockdale Police Department would like to thank all of the first responder agencies previously mentioned for assisting to bring this critical incident to a peaceful conclusion,” said Rockdale Chief of Police Jerry Meadors.
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