MARSHALL, Texas - The Harrison County Sheriff's Office is investigating a deadly shooting between two brothers, which marks the area's first homicide in over a year.
The shooting happened Tuesday night at a mobile home on Pine Valley Road.
“It's very unfortunate that it happened within a family like this in a mother's home with a mother present. It's a nightmare, quite honestly,” said Sheriff B.J. Fletcher.
Fletcher says five people were inside a small bedroom including a 1-year-old child when two brothers began arguing over guns.
Family members told investigators Jamail Boer pointed a pistol at his brother Isaiah Joyner and threatened to kill him.
“Witness statements advised that in response to the threat Isaiah immediately retrieved a nearby rifle, an exchange of gunfire occurred, quite a bit of gunfire,” said Fletcher.
Investigators recovered eight pistol rounds and six rifle casings.
Boer died from multiple gunshot wounds to his upper body. Joyner suffered a gunshot wound to his hand and was treated at a Longview hospital.
Fletcher says no arrest will be made at this time.
“Most likely, this case will go before a grand jury to decide if that is necessary. The reason being is that in the state of Texas you have the right to protect yourself and or a third party,” said Fletcher.
Joyner is about a year out of the military and was staying at his mother's home with his 1-year old daughter.
A third brother was also in the room at the time of the shooting.
Fletcher believes that if Joyner had not defended himself and the rest of his family, there could have been even more injuries or fatalities.
“The fact that he stepped up and did what he did, unfortunately, with his own family, and unfortunately, a loss of life. But he did protect himself, and he protected his daughter and the rest of his family from his brother's rage,” said Fletcher.
Boer's body has been sent to Tyler for an autopsy.
Officials say this was not the first time Boer had threatened to harm his family. Boer has an extensive criminal record.