Woman found in closet with gunshot wound to the head was allegedly killed by her boyfriend who claimed it was an accident: Police

A Texas man has been indicted on a murder charge after authorities alleged that he fatally shot his girlfriend and then claimed the shooting was accidental. The case centers on the death of 25-year-old Tammy Dawson, who was discovered with a gunshot wound to the head inside a bedroom closet at a residence in Beaumont, Texas.

The suspect, 44-year-old Brandon Chretien, was initially arrested on an aggravated assault charge following the shooting. After Dawson succumbed to her injuries, prosecutors upgraded the charge to first-degree murder. A Jefferson County grand jury later returned an indictment, allowing the case to move forward in court.

Emergency Call Leads Police to Disturbing Scene

The investigation began during the early morning hours of June 6, when officers with the Beaumont Police Department responded to a report of a shooting at a residence on Hartfield Street. According to investigators, the call came from Brandon Chretien himself.

Police arrived at approximately 2:40 a.m. and entered the home to find Tammy Dawson suffering from a catastrophic gunshot wound to the head. Authorities said Dawson was located inside a bedroom closet, while a handgun was found resting on a bedside table nearby.

Victim Found Inside Bedroom Closet

Investigators were immediately confronted with unusual circumstances. Dawson was discovered inside the closet rather than elsewhere in the room, raising questions about the events that had occurred before officers arrived.

Emergency responders transported Dawson to a local hospital, where doctors worked to save her life. Despite those efforts, her injuries proved devastating. She remained in a vegetative state before dying the following day.

Boyfriend Claims Shooting Was Accidental

Following the incident, Chretien reportedly told investigators that the shooting occurred during a struggle over a firearm.

According to his account, he and Dawson were allegedly fighting over the gun when it discharged unexpectedly, striking her in the head. He maintained that the shooting was accidental and occurred during the confrontation.

Investigators Question the Account

As detectives examined the scene and gathered evidence, they began scrutinizing Chretien’s version of events.

Authorities conducted interviews, analyzed physical evidence, and reviewed the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Investigators ultimately concluded that the evidence did not support the claim that Dawson had shot herself or that the wound was self-inflicted.

Medical Findings Play Key Role in Investigation

The severity and nature of Dawson’s injuries became a major focus of the investigation.

After examining the evidence and consulting with medical professionals, investigators determined that the gunshot wound was inconsistent with a self-inflicted injury. Those findings significantly influenced the direction of the case and contributed to the decision to pursue criminal charges against Chretien.

Victim Dies After Hospitalization

Although Dawson initially survived the shooting, her condition never improved. She remained hospitalized in critical condition and was described as being in a vegetative state.

The following day, she died from the injuries she suffered during the shooting, transforming the case from an aggravated assault investigation into a homicide investigation.

Charges Escalate From Assault to Murder

When officers first arrested Chretien, prosecutors charged him with aggravated assault because Dawson was still alive.

Following her death, authorities upgraded the charge to murder. The case was subsequently presented to a Jefferson County grand jury, which returned an indictment for first-degree murder. The indictment formally accuses Chretien of intentionally causing Dawson’s death.

Grand Jury Indictment Advances Case

The grand jury’s decision marked a significant milestone in the prosecution.

An indictment means jurors found sufficient evidence to believe a crime occurred and that the accused may have committed it. While an indictment is not a determination of guilt, it allows prosecutors to move forward with criminal proceedings in court.

Suspect Remains Behind Bars

Court records indicate that Brandon Chretien remains in custody at the Jefferson County Jail as the case proceeds through the legal system.

Authorities have set his bond at $1 million. Prosecutors are expected to continue preparing evidence as the murder case advances toward future court hearings.

Community Awaits Further Developments

The death of Tammy Dawson has drawn attention throughout the Beaumont community and serves as another example of a domestic violence-related homicide investigation in which authorities dispute a suspect’s claim that a fatal shooting was accidental.

As the criminal case moves forward, investigators and prosecutors will continue presenting evidence regarding what happened inside the residence during the early morning hours of June 6. Chretien remains presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court, while Dawson’s family continues to await justice following her death.