Warrant: Fort Worth man admits a confrontation ‘stewed’ for months before fatal shooting
A 51-year-old man said an argument about a girlfriend, followed by multiple incidents where he felt disrespected by someone he mentored, led to him fatally shooting a 30-year-old man Friday night, according to an arrest warrant.
Paul Branton was arrested Saturday morning on suspicion of murder in the death of James Jones. The shooting occurred around 11:45 p.m. Friday in the 3800 block of Earl Street.
Fort Worth police responded to the residence after Jones’ roommate called 911 reporting that shots were fired. The roommate told police that the pair had lived in the home for about two months, and that a vehicle pulled into the driveway earlier that night.
Jones asked his roommate who was in the driveway before he went on the front porch to check. Minutes later, the roommate heard four to five gunshots and “saw the muzzle flash as Jones was shot,” according to Branton’s warrant.
“[The roommate stated] he ran through the house towards the backyard and heard two more gunshots,” the warrant said. “He stated he ran out the backyard and over to another street before circling back to his house as the suspect’s truck was leaving the driveway.”
When officers arrived, they saw Jones’ roommate attempting to perform first aid in the front yard. Jones had several gunshot wounds to his upper torso, the warrant said. He was pronounced deceased shortly after first responders arrived.
Police said Branton had fled the scene, but returned and voluntarily spoke with detectives around 2 a.m. Saturday.
“Branton stated he has known Jones for an extended period of time, even mentoring or helping Jones when Jones was upset,” the warrant said. “Branton stated, a few months ago, at a bar he identified as ‘The Office,’ an argument took place involving Jones and a female he was dating. Branton stated that during that argument, Jones ‘sucker-punched’ him and he does not remember much after that.”
Police responded to that altercation, but Branton did not press charges, the warrant said.
“In the months since that incident, Branton has seen Jones at the bar several times and each time Jones bragged to him about ‘being a badass’ and ‘being incarcerated,’ which he felt was disrespectful toward him given how much he has tried to help Jones,” the warrant added.
Branton then told police that “he’s been ‘stewing’ about the punch and Jones’ attitude toward him since that happened.”
Branton admitted that he went to confront Jones at his residence and shot the 30-year-old with a pistol, police said.
“Branton stated he believes he emptied the magazine when shooting Jones,” the warrant said, adding that the 51-year-old told police that he didn’t believe there was a reason that he killed Jones and that he returned to the scene because he didn’t want to “run from what he did.”
Since the conversation with police was voluntary, officers advised Branton he could leave, but the 51-year-old said he wanted to be taken into custody.
Fort Worth police told Branton he couldn’t be arrested without a warrant and that he was able to leave and return for his arrest.
Branton went to a 7-11 gas station and returned to the detective’s office, refusing to leave a second time. He was booked and officially taken into custody around 5:45 a.m.
This story was originally published April 23, 2022 at 6:14 AM.
