CHINA SPRING, Texas — The 36-year-old China Spring man who led authorities on a 10-hour manhunt in September was indicted on a murder charge by a McLennan County Grand Jury on Thursday.
Richard Tanner Ozment was arrested and charged with first-degree murder after he reportedly attacked 38-year-old mother Michaela Brooker with a machete on Sept. 21 in the 1500 block of Old China Spring Road.
McLennan County Sheriff Parnell McNamara described the attack as "one of the most horrific, horrible, brutal, senseless attacks that we have seen in a long time."
According to a criminal complaint obtained by 6 News, the suspect's mother, Sandra Ozment, found her son, Richard Ozment, standing outside of her home on Old China Spring Road and appeared "very sweaty."
When she attempted to walk past him, Richard Ozment stopped her, but not before she saw "a human foot lying on the ground behind an RV" in the yard, the complaint continues.
Richard Ozment told his mother that Brooker "tried to stab me," the complaint states. At that point, Sandra Ozment retreated back into the home and barricaded herself inside while her husband called 911, to which Richard Ozment pleaded for her not to, the complaint states.
The China Spring Fire Department arrived first and saw Richard Ozment fleeing from the house, the complaint continues.
McNamara said a manhunt ensued for 10 hours, which included 30- to- 50 agents from the sheriff's office, Waco Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Game Wardens and Texas Department of Criminal Justice. The search included a helicopter, tracking dogs and horses, McNamara added.
Richard Ozment was found around 100 yards away from where the attack took place, hiding inside a stock tank that was underwater, he said.
He was then arrested and booked in jail with a $1 million bond.
