Tuesday, Jan. 17, Dripping Springs resident William Michael Bryars was listed as a wanted suspect by Hays County Law Enforcement in connection to a case of aggravated assault.

Bryars is accused of having attacked his mother with a hammer and then stabbing her with a screwdriver before fleeing in her vehicle Tuesday morning. The mother’s condition has not yet been made available but she has been transferred to an Austin-area hospital to continue treatment for her injuries.

Bryars is still currently on the loose and authorities state that warrants made against the suspect are first degree felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and the unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, which qualifies as a state jail felony.

The suspect is said to be traveling in his mother’s 2012 black, 2-door Nissan Altima with license plate number HGB1301. Authorities report the vehicle is said to have sustained damage to the front and rear passenger panels.

Bryars is possibly traveling to Missouri, according to the Hays County Sheriff’s Office, based on “additional threats made to family members” that live there.

The suspect is described as a 17-year-old, white male, standing 5’9’’ inches tall and weighing 145 pounds with brown hair and eyes. He is considered to be armed and dangerous and authorities urge citizen to not approach him. They ask that anyone with knowledge regarding Bryars or his whereabouts call 911 immediately to report the information.

Citizens may also contact the Hays County Sheriff’s Office at 512.393.7896 and ask for the Criminal Investigations Division or call the Hays County Crime Stoppers at 1.800.324.8477 if they have any information they feel could be useful to the investigation.       

UPDATE:

William Michael Bryars has been apprehended by authorities in Alton, Illinois as of 10:45 a.m. Friday Jan. 20, 2017.

The Dripping Springs teen escaped Tuesday morning after he was listed as a wanted suspect by Hays County Law Enforcement in connection to a case of aggravated assault. Bryars was said to have attacked his mother with a hammer before stabbing her with a hammer and fleeing in his mother’s 2012 black, 2-door Nissan Altima. Bryars mother has been receiving treatment for her wounds in an Austin-area hospital.

Bryars was assumed to be traveling to Missouri based on “additional threats made to family members” who resided there, according to the Hays County Sheriff’s Office.

Attempting to evade arrest, Bryars lead authorities on a brief police chase Friday morning, and was apprehended after his car crashed.

He is being treated in a Illinois hospital for his injuries and it is currently unknown if he will be extradited to Texas.

 

Olivia Fletcher

Staff Writer