About

Jonathan Wayne Layton Timeline

Jonathan Layton

Jonathan Wayne Layton, 40, was shot by Smith County Sheriff’s Deputy Braylon Barnes at Layton’s family residence in Lindale, Texas, on November 5, 2024, after deputies responded to a report concerning statements allegedly made following his termination from FaithCo Plumbing.

The timeline documents Jonathan’s background, employment at FaithCo, the events leading to the law-enforcement response, the shooting, the subsequent investigation, and the federal civil-rights and wrongful-death litigation filed by his family.

Jonathan Wayne Layton

Timeline

Jonathan Layton Timeline

Jonathan Wayne Layton

Background

1984

Jonathan Wayne Layton was born in Tyler, Texas, to Nancy and Freddie Layton Sr. He was one of five children and had four siblings, Krystle, Freddie Jr., his twin brother Jeffrey, and Jeremy Layton. Source

1987

The Layton family moved from Tyler to Lindale, Texas. Jonathan and his siblings attended Lindale public schools and First Baptist Church in Swan. Jonathan remained in Lindale for the rest of his life. Source

October 23, 2017

Jonathan intervened in a domestic-abuse situation involving a minor and remained with the child while waiting for law enforcement to arrive. The incident was later cited by his family in federal court records as an example of Jonathan’s willingness to contact and cooperate with law enforcement. Source

2018

Jonathan’s father, Freddie Layton Sr., died. Jonathan continued operating Layton Lawn Care, the landscaping business he had worked in with his father. Source

May 8, 2021

Jonathan contacted the Smith County Sheriff’s Office after finding a lost wallet and waited for a deputy to arrive and retrieve it. Source

April 2022

Jonathan began working for FaithCo Plumbing as a plumber’s apprentice and was training to become a journeyman plumber. He developed friendships with coworkers and began attending Calvary Commission with some of them. Source

Summer 2024

Jonathan began experiencing pain associated with swelling that was subsequently diagnosed as a bilateral inguinal hernia. The family’s later federal complaint alleged his work at FaithCo involved the lifting, squatting and strenuous activity associated with the injury. Source

July 30, 2024

Jonathan was diagnosed with a bilateral inguinal hernia. The Layton family’s later federal lawsuit alleged the condition resulted from or was aggravated by the lifting, squatting, and strenuous work Jonathan performed for FaithCo. The lawsuit further alleged FaithCo failed to report the injury to its workers’ compensation carrier and encouraged Jonathan to characterize the injury as unrelated to his work. Source

August 19, 2024

4:43 p.m. FaithCo Vice President Taylor Tracy emailed Mary Castaneda, copying Meagan Ireton, and directed that Jonathan Layton’s hourly pay be increased to $18 per hour, effective immediately. Source

September 26, 2024

Jonathan worked his final day before surgery. Taylor Tracy sent him a card, and Jonathan texted back that he intended to remain with FaithCo and wanted to continue learning and advancing with the company. Source

September 27, 2024

Jonathan underwent surgery for his bilateral inguinal hernia. Source

October 11, 2024

Following a post-operative appointment, Jonathan was cleared to return to light-duty work beginning October 15 with a restriction against lifting more than 10 pounds. The federal complaint states FaithCo did not return him to light-duty work and instructed him to remain home without pay. Source
The complaint states FaithCo assisted Jonathan with an application for short-term disability. Jonathan identified lifting as one of his job duties on the application. Source

October 24, 2024

2:32 p.m.-3:32 p.m. Jonathan exchanged Snapchat messages with Kelsie Denise about returning to work. He told her his doctor had cleared him, but his return depended on FaithCo allowing him back. Source
6:39 p.m.-7:31 p.m. Jonathan and Kelsie discussed information Jonathan had received that another FaithCo employee had complained about Snapchat communications between them. Jonathan expressed concern that he could be fired and maintained that their communications had been consensual. Source
Jonathan told Kelsie that he discussed the situation with an attorney for whom he did lawn work and asked what options he would have if FaithCo fired him but not the other employee. Source

October 25, 2024

Jonathan’s light-duty restriction ended, and he was medically cleared for full duty. He remained away from FaithCo while waiting for the company to allow him to return. Source

October 29, 2024

A written complaint concerning Jonathan’s Snapchat communications with another FaithCo employee was dated October 29. The Layton family’s later lawsuit disputed FaithCo’s characterization of those communications and alleged the exchanges had been consensual. Source

November 5, 2024

11:23 a.m. FaithCo employee Ronnie attempted to call Jonathan. When Jonathan did not answer, Ronnie texted him to remind him that Jonathan still had tools in FaithCo’s tool room. Source
11:25 a.m Jonathan replied that he also needed to bring his doctor’s documentation concerning his hernia and release to work. Source
11:53 a.m. Jonathan texted Ronnie asking whether FaithCo had fired him. Source
11:56 a.m. Ronnie replied that, as far as he knew, Jonathan had not been fired. Source
12:26 p.m. Taylor Tracy called Jonathan. Their telephone conversation lasted 57 seconds. Source
After the call, Jonathan continued watching country music videos on YouTube and had plans to meet his friend Ben Sims after Sims finished work at 5:00 p.m. Jonathan then left home and drove to FaithCo to retrieve his belongings. Source
12:42 p.m. FaithCo surveillance footage recorded Jonathan retrieving his tools and belongings. Employees helped carry his property to his truck. Source
A disagreement arose over plumbing fittings or tools that Jonathan maintained belonged to him. During the exchange, Jonathan made a statement about having something at home that could take care of the issue. The Layton family’s lawsuit alleges Jonathan did not say he was going home to retrieve a gun, did not say he would return to FaithCo, and did not threaten to kill FaithCo employees. Source
FaithCo surveillance footage cited in the lawsuit showed employees continuing to help Jonathan load his truck after the exchange. The complaint states an employee gave Jonathan a thumbs-up before walking away. Source
12:46:34 p.m. Taylor Tracy called 911 and identified Jonathan as a disgruntled employee he had just fired. Tracy reported that Jonathan had threatened the company and its employees and said Jonathan was going home to get something to “take care of all of us.” Tracy provided information about Jonathan and his white Chevrolet Silverado. The Layton family’s federal lawsuit later alleged Tracy materially misrepresented Jonathan’s statement at FaithCo. Source
12:50:15 p.m. The Smith County Sheriff’s Office CAD record documented the report that Jonathan had been fired and allegedly made verbal threats to go home, return to the business, and kill employees. Source
12:54 p.m. Jonathan messaged Kelsie Denise that he had just been fired. The message cited in the federal complaint contained no threat. Source
12:55 p.m. Smith County Sheriff’s Deputy Braylon Barnes arrived at FaithCo and interviewed employees about Jonathan. An employee told Barnes that Jonathan had been terminated over inappropriate photographs or messages and reported Jonathan had said he had something at home that could “take care of all y’all.” Barnes was provided Jonathan’s address. Source
Barnes said he passed Jonathan’s truck while responding to FaithCo and remarked that Jonathan did not appear particularly upset when he saw him. Source
12:58:56 p.m. Barnes notified dispatch that he had passed Jonathan while responding to FaithCo and described Jonathan’s white Chevrolet pickup. Source
1:02 p.m. Jonathan texted a FaithCo supervisor requesting three orange straps, bottles of MAP gas, and other property he maintained belonged to him. He said he wanted the property returned before he brought back his FaithCo uniforms. Source
1:03 p.m. Jonathan messaged Kelsie Denise about the dispute over plumbing fittings he maintained he had personally purchased but could not prove belonged to him because he did not have the receipts. Source
1:05 p.m. Jonathan sent FaithCo employee Helen Thompson an apology concerning the earlier disagreement and told her she could delete his number if she wanted. Source
1:08 p.m. Jonathan sent what the federal complaint identifies as his final text message to Kelsie Denise, apologizing if the situation had caused problems. Source
1:08 p.m. The Smith County Sheriff’s Office CAD record documented Barnes arriving at Jonathan’s residence. Source
Layton Residence: Barnes was joined by Deputy Raj Baran. Barnes briefed Baran about the reported incident before they approached the residence. The Layton family’s complaint alleges Barnes did not tell Baran that information provided at FaithCo differed from the wording of the threat originally relayed through dispatch. Source
Barnes knocked on the door and announced the Sheriff’s Office. Three dogs inside began barking. Jonathan was inside watching television, Nancy Layton was in the kitchen preparing him a bacon sandwich, and Freddie Layton Jr. was in the bathroom. Source
Freddie Jr. answered the door and stepped onto the porch, closing the door behind him so the dogs would not escape. When deputies asked whether “Mr. Layton” was home, Freddie asked which Layton they meant. Baran indicated Jonathan’s pickup truck. Source
1:12:04 p.m. Shooting of Jonathan Layton: Jonathan approached the doorway carrying a handgun. The federal complaint states Jonathan had been attempting to repair a lighted sight on the firearm before coming to the door. The Layton family’s frame-by-frame analysis of the body-camera footage alleges the firearm was pointed downward and Jonathan’s finger remained outside the trigger guard. Source
1:12:06 p.m. Baran ordered Jonathan to drop the gun and drew his firearm. Source
1:12:07 p.m. Barnes drew his handgun and chambered a round while addressing Jonathan. The Layton family’s lawsuit alleges Jonathan was turning back toward the interior of the residence and moving the firearm away from the deputies. Source
1:12:08 p.m. Barnes fired four rounds. Jonathan was struck three times. The fourth bullet entered the residence and struck a wall near Freddie Jr. Source
Jonathan sustained gunshot wounds involving his upper left chest and side, left arm, and lower left back. The Layton family’s attorneys later relied on the wound locations and trajectories as evidence supporting their contention that Jonathan was turning away from Barnes when he was shot. Source
Barnes later told investigators that he perceived Jonathan turning his body and believed Jonathan’s handgun was beginning to rise toward the deputies. The Layton family disputes Barnes’s account based on the body-camera footage, other witness accounts, and forensic evidence. Source
Jonathan told deputies after he was shot that he did not know they were there and that he had been putting the firearm down. Source
1:12:31 p.m. Baran notified dispatch that shots had been fired and the suspect was down. Source
1:12:58 p.m. Baran requested EMS respond Code 3 and advised that emergency personnel were clear to enter. Source
1:13:49 p.m. Dispatch notified EMS of the shooting and advised that EMS could enter the scene. Source
Jonathan remained alive after the shooting. The federal complaint states he suffered severe lung injuries and progressively lost his ability to breathe while Nancy and Freddie Jr. remained nearby. Source
The federal complaint states that when paramedics asked Barnes how many shots he had fired, Barnes responded that he had fired two. Body-camera and forensic evidence documented four rounds. Source
1:19:04 p.m. Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith was recorded as en route to the Layton residence. Source
1:24:50 p.m. EMS arrived at the residence. Source
1:29:38 p.m. The scene was recorded as secure. Source
1:37:10 p.m. EMS departed the residence with Jonathan for the hospital. Source
1:54 p.m. Jonathan was pronounced dead after being transported to the hospital. He was 40 years old. The Texas Rangers assumed responsibility for investigating the deputy-involved shooting. Source
Sheriff Larry Smith publicly described Jonathan as turning toward deputies with the firearm pointed in their direction. Jonathan’s family later disputed that account after obtaining the body-camera recordings and other evidence. Source

November 12, 2024

Jonathan’s visitation was held at Hilliard Funeral Home. Source

November 13, 2024

Jonathan’s funeral was held at Central Baptist Church in Lindale, followed by burial at Lindale City Cemetery. Source

November 14, 2024

Barnes participated in a recorded interview concerning the shooting. He described responding to the reported threat, arriving at Jonathan’s residence, and his perception of Jonathan’s movements immediately before he fired. Barnes maintained that he perceived Jonathan’s firearm beginning to rise toward the deputies. Source

January 2, 2025

Autopsy evidence documented three gunshot wounds involving Jonathan’s left chest and side, left arm, and lower left back. The wound locations and trajectories later became evidence in the family’s challenge to Barnes’s account of Jonathan’s position and movement when Barnes fired. Source

February 18, 2025

Jeremy Layton was appointed administrator of Jonathan’s estate. Jonathan died intestate. His heirs were identified as his mother, Nancy Layton, and siblings Freddie Layton Jr., Jeremy Layton, Jeffrey Layton, and Krystle Layton-Furrh. Source

April 2, 2025

Forensic audio expert Dr. Durand R. Begault conducted acoustic measurements at the Layton residence as part of an examination of whether Jonathan could have heard Barnes announce the Sheriff’s Office before Jonathan came to the door. Source

April 21, 2025

Begault completed his forensic acoustic report after reviewing body-camera recordings from Barnes, Baran and Deputy Sabrina Rodgers and conducting measurements at the Layton residence. The examination addressed the audibility of Barnes’s announcement, synchronized the body-camera recordings, and analyzed the timing immediately preceding the shooting. Source
The acoustic analysis concluded Barnes’s “Sheriff’s Office” announcement would have been unintelligible and likely undetectable from Jonathan’s location inside the residence under the measured background-noise conditions. Source
The analysis determined Jonathan became visible during the final seconds preceding the shooting and examined the short interval between the command to drop the gun and the gunfire. Source

May 27, 2025

Jeremy Layton, as administrator of Jonathan’s estate, Nancy Layton, and Freddie Layton Jr. filed a federal lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. The original defendants were Smith County, Sheriff Larry Smith, Deputy Braylon J. Barnes, FaithCo Enterprises doing business as FaithCo Plumbing, and Taylor Tracy. The complaint asserted federal civil-rights and Texas state-law claims arising from Jonathan’s employment termination, the 911 report, the law-enforcement response, and his death. Source
The complaint alleged constitutional violations against Barnes, Smith, and Smith County and asserted additional state-law claims involving FaithCo and Tracy. The Layton family demanded a jury trial. Source
Press conference held by the family of Jonathan Layton Source

June 11, 2025

Jeremy filed waivers of service showing that Smith County, Larry Smith, Barnes, FaithCo, and Tracy had received waivers sent May 28. Source

July 28, 2025

FaithCo and Tracy filed answers to the original complaint. FaithCo filed a Rule 12(b)(6) motion seeking dismissal, and Tracy filed a separate motion to dismiss. Source

August 5, 2025

Jeremy, Nancy, and Freddie Jr. filed their response addressing the motions to dismiss filed by FaithCo and Tracy. Source

August 19, 2025

Smith County, Sheriff Larry Smith, and Barnes filed a motion seeking partial dismissal of the Laytons’ claims. Source

September 9, 2025

The parties filed a joint motion to dismiss FaithCo Enterprises, FaithCo Plumbing, and Taylor Tracy with prejudice. Source

September 19, 2025

Judge Rodney Gilstrap granted the joint motion and dismissed FaithCo Enterprises, FaithCo Plumbing, and Taylor Tracy with prejudice. The lawsuit continued against Smith County, Sheriff Larry Smith and Deputy Braylon Barnes. Source
Jeremy, Nancy, and Freddie Jr. filed an amended complaint against Barnes, Smith, and Smith County, accompanied by more than 40 exhibits. Source
The Laytons filed their opposition to the defendants’ request to transfer the case from the Marshall Division to the Tyler Division. Source

September 25, 2025

Judge Gilstrap denied the August 19 motion to dismiss filed by Smith County, Smith and Barnes. Source

October 2025

The Laytons began extensive third-party discovery involving law-enforcement agencies. Subpoena notices were filed for multiple police departments, sheriff’s offices, and law-enforcement training entities as the plaintiffs sought records relevant to Barnes’s background, training, and the issues raised in the litigation. Source

December 18, 2025

The Texas Department of Public Safety opposed the Laytons’ effort to compel production of records from DPS and the Texas Rangers and moved to quash. The filings created a discovery dispute over access to law-enforcement investigative material. Source

December 22, 2025

Jeremy, Nancy, and Freddie Jr. filed a reply supporting their effort to compel the Texas Rangers and Texas Department of Public Safety to produce documents. Source

December 30, 2025

The Laytons filed their opposition to the Texas Department of Public Safety’s motion to quash. Source

January 28, 2026

Jeremy, Nancy, and Freddie Jr. moved to compel Smith County, Sheriff Smith, and Barnes to provide additional disclosures and attached six exhibits supporting the request. Source

February 18, 2026

Smith County, Smith, and Barnes opposed the Laytons’ motion to compel disclosures. Their filing included amended disclosures and portions of a policy manual. Source

February 24, 2026

Jeremy, Nancy and Freddie Jr. moved to compel Barnes to provide complete responses to interrogatories, supporting the motion with multiple exhibits. Source

March 6, 2026

Judge Gilstrap granted the defendants’ request to transfer the lawsuit from the Marshall Division to the Tyler Division of the Eastern District of Texas. The court found that the events giving rise to the lawsuit occurred in Smith County, Jonathan resided there, and each party either resided or worked there. Source

March 13, 2026

The Laytons filed a corrected motion seeking complete interrogatory responses from Barnes. Sealed supporting materials included Barnes’s interrogatory responses, his recorded interview transcript, telephone logs, and Fort Worth Police Department records. Source

March 20, 2026

The transferred lawsuit proceeded in the Tyler Division as Layton et al. v. Smith County et al., Case No. 6:26-cv-00141. Source
Jeremy, Nancy, and Freddie Jr. filed a Second Amended Complaint accompanied by 40 exhibits. Source

March 23, 2026

The Laytons filed a corrected Second Amended Complaint accompanied by 43 exhibits. Source

March 24, 2026

The Laytons filed notice of a subpoena directed to Dr. Barry W. Rath. Source

March 25, 2026

Smith County, Smith and Barnes sought protection from additional discovery they argued fell outside the procedures governing the litigation. Source

March 27, 2026

The Laytons filed proof that the subpoena directed to Dr. Rath had been served. Source

April 6, 2026

Smith County Sheriff Smith and Barnes filed an opposed motion seeking dismissal of the Laytons’ claims. Source

April 17, 2026

Jeremy, Nancy, and Freddie Jr. filed their opposition to the April 6 motion to dismiss. Source

April 21, 2026

10:31-10:52 a.m. Judge Jeremy D. Kernodle held an in-person hearing addressing pending dismissal and discovery disputes involving the Laytons, defendants, and nonparty law-enforcement interests. Source
Judge Kernodle entered a case-management order denying an earlier defense motion to dismiss as moot, granting nonparty objections and a motion to quash, denying the Laytons’ corrected effort to compel Texas Rangers and DPS records, granting the Texas Department of Public Safety’s motion to quash, denying the Laytons’ motion to compel defendants’ disclosures, denying their motions seeking additional interrogatory responses from Barnes, and granting defendants protection from the disputed discovery. Source

April 23, 2026

The official transcript of the April 21 hearing was filed. The Laytons also requested the digital audio recording of the hearing. Source

April 28, 2026

Jeremy, Nancy, and Freddie Jr. filed a sur-reply opposing the defendants’ pending motion to dismiss. Source

April 30, 2026

The Laytons asked the court to clarify its April 21 case-management order. Source

May 13, 2026

Nonparty law-enforcement officials filed a response addressing the Laytons’ request to clarify the April 21 discovery order. Source

May 18, 2026

Jeremy, Nancy, and Freddie Jr. filed a reply supporting their request to clarify the April 21 order. Source

May 26, 2026

Smith County Sheriff Smith and Barnes filed a sur-reply addressing the Laytons’ request to clarify the April 21 order. Source

Officer & Investigation Timeline

Officer Background & Internal Investigations

2007–2011

Braylon Barnes attended John Tyler High School in Tyler, Texas, graduating in 2011. Source

April 2010

Braylon Barnes worked part-time as a cashier at Chick-fil-A in Tyler while attending school. He listed his reason for leaving as his school extracurricular schedule.

2011–2014

Barnes attended Tyler Junior College and reported earning 30–45 college credits without receiving a degree. In a later Smith County employment application, Barnes disclosed that he was placed on academic probation after his second semester at TJC for failing the same course twice. Source

July 2011–September 2013

Barnes worked part-time as a cashier at Grandy’s Restaurant in Tyler while attending Tyler Junior College. He listed his reason for leaving as “School/TJC.” Source

February 2014–July 2014

Barnes worked for Trane Heating and Air Conditioning as a brazer, performing welding and maintaining assembly-line flow. Source

January 2015

Barnes worked full-time as a police recruit with the Fort Worth Police Department, where his duties were to train to become a Fort Worth police officer. Barnes listed his reason for leaving as “failed 3 academic tests.” Source

April 2, 2015

Barnes separated from the Fort Worth Police Academy. His TCOLE academy history lists his separation date as April 2, 2015. Source

July 2015

Barnes entered the Tyler Junior College Law Enforcement Academy. His Smith County employment application lists his attendance at Tyler Junior College from July 2015 through December 2015. Source

December 3, 2015

Barnes completed the 643-hour Basic Peace Officer Course at the Tyler Junior College Law Enforcement Academy. Source

February 10, 2016

As part of his appointment process with the Tyler Police Department, Braylon Barnes underwent a psychological examination by licensed psychologist Barry W. Rath, Ph.D. Rath certified that Barnes was “in satisfactory psychological and emotional health to perform the duties, accept the responsibilities and meet the qualifications established by the appointing agency.” The declaration was signed February 10, 2016 Source

March 24, 2016

Barnes began service as a full-time peace officer with the Tyler Police Department. Source

August 3, 2016

While serving as a Tyler Police Department officer, Braylon Barnes stopped Virginia South after observing her vehicle move outside its lane. South later challenged the stop, and a trial court granted a motion to suppress. The State appealed, and the Twelfth Court of Appeals subsequently reversed the suppression order and remanded the case. Source

August 26, 2016

Barnes completed Tyler Police Department field training and personnel-orientation training. His TCOLE record lists 160 hours of Peace Officer Field Training and 40 hours of personnel orientation. Source

August 28, 2016

Barnes was released for solo duty and reassigned to midnight shift while still classified as a Police Recruit. Source

October 3, 2016

Barnes received a $150 Police Recruit biannual test payment after completing the applicable physical-fitness testing and being found eligible for the payment. Source

March 14, 2017

Barnes advanced from Police Recruit to Police Officer I with the Tyler Police Department after completing one year of employment. Source

September 16, 2017

While working patrol with Officer David Russ, Barnes participated in an arrest that later resulted in an Internal Affairs investigation. During the encounter, Barnes used a racial slur while addressing a Black male being arrested. The investigation also identified deficiencies in Barnes’s documentation of traffic stops and labeling of digital recordings. Source

September 18, 2017

Barnes became the subject of a Tyler Police Department investigation involving an alleged excessive-force incident. The investigation expanded to examine other potential policy violations identified during review of his recent police activity. Source
The federal complaint states that two of the three investigators reviewing Barnes’s conduct recommended termination, including Barnes’s immediate supervisor. Source

September 27, 2017

In a written Internal Investigation Statement, Barnes acknowledged using the racial slur during the September 16 arrest. He wrote that he should not have used the word, acknowledged that its use could be viewed as derogatory or inappropriate, and stated that it would not happen again.Source

October 2, 2017

Barnes was interviewed as part of the Internal Affairs investigation. Investigators questioned him about the racial slur, verbal warnings during traffic stops, documentation requirements, WatchGuard video classifications and procedures for clearing calls. Source

October 5, 2017

Barnes was interviewed again about comments he made during a high-stress traffic encounter. The investigation documented that he admitted using the racial slur and acknowledged that the traffic stops under review had not been properly documented in writing as required by department policy. Source

October 9, 2017

The Tyler Police Department Internal Affairs investigation concluded that Barnes had used profane and racially disparaging terminology while performing his official duties, had issued verbal warnings during 11 traffic stops even though Tyler Police policy did not permit written or verbal warnings, and had mislabeled traffic-stop videos on September 16 and September 18. The allegation of Improper Conduct was sustained. Source

December 15, 2017

The Tyler Police Department suspended Barnes without pay following its internal investigation. Source

December 23, 2017

Barnes resigned from the Tyler Police Department. The Layton federal complaint alleges Barnes subsequently applied to the Smith County Sheriff’s Office and falsely answered that he had never been the subject of an in-house investigation, despite the Tyler PD investigation that preceded his suspension and resignation. Source

January 6, 2018

Barnes’s employment with the City of Tyler ended. The City of Tyler later confirmed January 6, 2018, as his separation date in response to a public-information request for his personnel records. Source

January 27, 2018

Barnes applied for police-officer positions with the Coppell Police Department and DeSoto Police Department. His Coppell application remained “on list” at the time he completed the Smith County background paperwork. Source
Barnes also disclosed an application for a police-officer position with the Missouri City Police Department. The record shows he completed the application, written examination, physical-agility test, oral examination, and background stages, but was ultimately marked “disqualified.” Source

February 21, 2018

As part of Smith County’s background investigation, investigators contacted Barnes’s former Tyler Police Department supervisor and multiple former coworkers and references. The background investigator ultimately recommended Barnes for employment with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office. Source

February 28, 2018

Barnes executed his Smith County deputation and oath of office as a deputy. Source

March 4, 2018

Barnes was appointed as a full-time peace officer with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office. His Texas Commission on Law Enforcement appointment paperwork identifies the Smith County Sheriff’s Office as his appointing agency. Source
The Layton federal complaint alleges Smith County obtained Barnes’s Tyler Police Department employment information before or during his hiring process but hired him without requiring a performance-improvement plan, psychological evaluation, or remedial training. Source

May 9, 2018

Barnes transferred from the Smith County Jail to the Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division as a Patrol Deputy, Position No. 24. The personnel form states he received pay credit for four months of prior experience. Source

April 29, 2018

Smith County records show Barnes was transferred and promoted to a deputy position identified as SO-560, Position No. 24. Source

June 28, 2018

8:35 a.m., attorney James W. Huggler Jr. entered the Smith County Courthouse and activated the security metal detector. Huggler later stated that Deputy Braylon Barnes directed him to place his file and cellphone through the X-ray machine. Huggler said that after identifying himself as a lawyer and reaching for his belongings to comply, Barnes grabbed him by the wrist. Source
8:40 a.m., while assigned to the Smith County Courthouse security checkpoint, Deputy Braylon Barnes encountered attorney James “Jim” Huggler after Huggler activated the metal detector. Barnes reported that Huggler refused instructions to place his belongings on the conveyor belt and stated, “No, I’m a lawyer.” Barnes wrote that when Huggler reached toward his belongings, Barnes grabbed Huggler and his items and again directed him to place the property on the belt.
Huggler said that after identifying himself as a lawyer and reaching for his belongings to comply, Barnes grabbed him by the wrist. Huggler said another deputy subsequently screened him with a wand, and he entered the courthouse. Source
Deputy Randal Hiller separately reported seeing Huggler “struggling with Deputy Barnes over Mr. Huggler’s personal belongings” before Huggler complied and was allowed through security. A subsequent supervisory report states that Huggler said Barnes grabbed him by the wrist but did not characterize the contact as an assault. The matter was documented and later reviewed by Lt. Renwick Ballinger. Source

June 29, 2018

Huggler submitted a written complaint to Sheriff Larry Smith concerning Barnes’s conduct at the courthouse. Huggler wrote that this was not his first negative interaction with Barnes, said he used a different metal detector when possible because of Barnes, and told the sheriff that the complaint was “not the first complaint you have received about Deputy Barnes.” Huggler questioned whether Barnes should continue representing the Sheriff’s Office at the courthouse entrance. Source
Lt. Renwick Ballinger requested courthouse surveillance footage from the June 28 encounter. Ballinger reported that the video showed Huggler repeatedly entering and exiting the metal-detector line, reaching behind the X-ray machine toward his property, and Barnes stopping him. Huggler was later screened by Deputy Hiller and permitted to enter the courthouse. Source

July 3, 2018

Lt. Renwick Ballinger met with Huggler regarding the courthouse incident. Huggler said Barnes had grabbed him by the wrist but stated he was not alleging that Barnes assaulted him. Ballinger reported that Huggler said other attorneys were preparing a letter to the sheriff and that attorney Kurt Noell was contacting the Tyler Police Department to seek records on why Barnes had been fired by that agency. Source

May 11, 2019

Barnes received a salary adjustment reflecting one year of longevity and an advancement to Patrol Deputy III. Source

December 31, 2019

Barnes’s patrol performance evaluation rated him favorably in multiple areas. His supervisor specifically noted his performance under stress as one of his strongest areas, while recommending that he pursue higher peace-officer certification and become more proactive. Source

May 9, 2020

Barnes received a longevity-pay adjustment reflecting two years of service, with $120 in longevity pay. Source

June 10, 2020

Smith County processed a payroll adjustment to pull 100 hours of miscellaneous time for FMLA purposes for dates April 21 through May 9, 2020. The form states Barnes had already received pay for those dates. Source

December 15, 2020

Barnes took Angela Celeste McDonald into custody, and she was booked into the Smith County Jail on a felony aggravated-assault-with-a-deadly-weapon charge. A later internal investigation determined that Barnes subsequently maintained personal, non-duty-related contact with McDonald through April 21, 2022. Source

December 21, 2020

The internal investigation documented text-message contact between Barnes and McDonald. Investigators found that McDonald sent Barnes a photograph of herself at 1:46 a.m. Barnes responded at 10:41 a.m. and continued the conversation by text. Barnes later told investigators that McDonald had asked him for advice about her case and that he believed some of her messages were provocative. He acknowledged that one of his responses was inappropriate. Source

January 5, 2021

Investigators confirmed additional text messages between Barnes and McDonald concerning dinner plans. The internal investigation later included this communication in its review of their personal contact. Source

February 7, 2021

At 2:30 a.m., Barnes sent a text intended for a different Angela to McDonald. Barnes told investigators that after realizing the mistake, he deleted the entire message thread. Source

June 20, 2021

Barnes was promoted to detective and assigned to the Smith County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit. Source

March 13, 2021

Barnes received a longevity-pay adjustment reflecting three years of service, with $180 in longevity pay. The personnel form also notes a “correct pay entry.” Source

May 8, 2021

Barnes received another salary adjustment reflecting three years of longevity, increasing his longevity pay to $240. Source

May 22, 2021

Barnes received a salary adjustment described in the personnel record as a “3% Peace Officer mark.” His annual salary was increased to $51,607. Source

June 20, 2021

Barnes was transferred from patrol and promoted to investigator, Position No. 40. He joined the Smith County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit, where he worked narcotics and other investigations. Source

June 30, 2021

Smith County personnel paperwork formally documented Barnes’s move to the Investigator position, with the change recorded as a position and salary change. Source

December 11, 2021

A Special Investigations Unit training memorandum stated that Barnes had completed the unit’s field-training requirements and documented his work on search warrants, arrest warrants, and narcotics investigations. Supervisors requested that he be released from field training. Source

January 10, 2022

Barnes’s six-month Special Investigations Unit probationary evaluation noted that his knowledge of duties and job-skill level needed improvement because he was new to the unit, while stating that he was responding well to training and improving weekly. Source

March 12, 2022

Barnes received a longevity-pay adjustment reflecting four years of service, with $240 in longevity pay. His annual salary was listed as $64,890. Source

April 21, 2022

The Office of Professional Responsibility served Barnes with a charging document alleging violations of Smith County Sheriff’s Office policies concerning conduct and behavior and prohibited association/frequenting. Barnes waived a written response to the complaint. The allegation covered personal contact with McDonald from December 15, 2020 through April 21, 2022. Source

September 15, 2022

Lt. Robert Strickland of the Office of Professional Responsibility completed the administrative investigation and classified the allegation against Barnes as Sustained. The investigation found that Barnes had made personal, non-duty-related contact with McDonald after arresting her. It also found that Barnes was the arresting deputy, that his contact information appeared on McDonald’s phone, and that they exchanged texts and photos after the arrest. Source
Strickland recommended three days without pay and six months of disciplinary probation. A handwritten supervisory notation instead recommended a formal written reprimand, six months of disciplinary probation, and an ethics training class. Source

September 16, 2022

Smith County Sheriff’s Office issued Barnes a formal written reprimand after sustaining the allegation that he made personal, non-duty-related contact with McDonald, whom he had arrested and placed in the Smith County Jail. The conduct violated the Sheriff’s Office rules governing conduct and behavior and prohibited association/frequenting. Source
Barnes was placed on six months of disciplinary probation and ordered to complete the TCOLE-approved Ethics for Law Enforcement course within 30 days. His probation was scheduled to end March 16, 2023. The reprimand warned that failure to improve his conduct, behavior, and performance deficiencies could result in additional discipline, including discharge. Source

September 19, 2022

Barnes acknowledged receipt of the formal written reprimand at 8:30 a.m.

September 21, 2022

Barnes completed the required Ethics for Law Enforcement course. Source

March 11, 2023

Barnes received a longevity-pay adjustment reflecting four years of service, with his annual salary listed as $70,179 and $300 in longevity pay. Source

March 16, 2023

The six-month disciplinary probation imposed after the sustained 2022 personnel complaint was scheduled to end. Source

August 1, 2023

Barnes, then an SIU detective, submitted a written request to transfer back to the Patrol Division. He wrote that he had gained experience, knowledge, and training in the Special Investigations Unit but preferred the “fast-paced, ever-changing environment on patrol.” He thanked the Criminal Investigations Division for his time there and requested reassignment as a patrol deputy. Source

August 13, 2023

Barnes transferred from Investigator III back to Patrol Deputy III, Position No. 114. The personnel form states that his balances transferred to the new position. Smith County records identify his new assignment as Patrol Deputy III. Source

September 19, 2023

TCOLE issued Barnes an Intermediate Peace Officer certification. Source

September 26, 2023

TCOLE issued Barnes an Advanced Peace Officer certification. Source

October 7, 2023

After earning his Advanced Peace Officer license, Barnes received a salary adjustment. His personnel record lists his annual salary as $56,657 at the time of the change. Source

October 26, 2023

Barnes submitted a written request to become a Field Training Officer, stating that he had served in the Smith County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division since May 2018, aside from his time in the Criminal Investigation Division, and had previously served as an FTO with the Tyler Police Department. Barnes wrote that he wanted to train new deputies and described himself as a believer in teamwork, courageous service, and proactive policing. His career-progression paperwork shows his supervisory chain recommended the request. Source

November 18, 2023

Smith County Deputy Braylon Barnes conducted a traffic stop involving Christopher Ray Higginbotham. Higginbotham was ultimately arrested after Barnes learned during the stop that he had a prior felony conviction and a firearm was found in the vehicle. Higginbotham later disputed the legality of the stop and arrest and alleged that Barnes misstated facts in his report. Source

December 7, 2023

Christopher Ray Higginbotham submitted a handwritten complaint against Barnes to the Smith County Sheriff’s Office. The complaint challenged probable cause for a traffic stop, alleged false arrest, alleged inaccuracies in Barnes’s report, and raised concerns about Barnes’s cloudy or blurry body-camera footage. Source

December 8, 2023

Robert Strickland of the Smith County Sheriff’s Office Office of Professional Responsibility forwarded the complaint for review. The issues included probable cause for the stop, the false-arrest allegation, alleged inaccuracies in Barnes’s report, and unclear body-camera footage. Source
Ilandra “Nikki” Keegan forwarded the matter to Sgt. Justin Stockwell and requested review of Barnes’s body-camera recording. Source

December 11, 2023

Sgt. Justin Stockwell completed his review. Keegan reviewed the reports, videos, and Stockwell’s memorandum and concurred with his findings, determining that the complaint had no merit. Source
Keegan acknowledged Barnes’s body-camera footage was blurry. Stockwell reported that he had seen cameras malfunction in that manner. Source

December 12, 2023

Capt. Craig Halbrooks forwarded the completed review of the Barnes complaint to Robert Strickland and James R. Jackson. Source

January 3, 2024

A later performance evaluation described Barnes as highly skilled, trusted with special assignments, timely in completing reports, and thorough in investigations. His supervisor wrote that Barnes’s narcotics skills were higher than those of other deputies on his shift and that his detective and narcotics experience helped him function during stressful incidents and large crime scenes. Barnes was also credited with training another deputy in drug-interdiction stops and interviews. His goals for 2024 included working toward a Master Peace Officer Certificate, increasing tactical knowledge and skills, and becoming a full-time Field Training Officer. The reviewer noted that Barnes was interested in the next K-9 opening and becoming a full-time FTO. Source

January 5, 2024

Barnes’s written request to become a Field Training Officer was approved by his captain. Source

January 13, 2024

A Smith County personnel change form records Barnes as a Patrol Deputy III, Position No. 114, and documents a salary adjustment that included a $1,200 FTO stipend. Source

January 17, 2024

Smith County personnel records document Barnes’s advancement as a Field Training Officer following his 2023 request and career-progression review. Source

March 9, 2024

Barnes received a longevity-pay adjustment reflecting six years of service. His personnel record lists an annual salary of $61,990, $360 in longevity pay, and a $1,200 FTO stipend. Source

Officer-Involved Shooting & Initial Investigation

November 5, 2024

12:46:34 p.m. FaithCo Vice President Taylor Tracy called 911 after Jonathan Layton had been terminated from FaithCo. Tracy reported that Jonathan was a disgruntled former employee and alleged that Jonathan was potentially going to kill employees. Source
12:46:49 p.m. Smith County dispatch received location information associated with the FaithCo 911 call. Source
12:50:15 p.m. The CAD log recorded the report that Jonathan had been fired minutes earlier and allegedly made verbal threats to go home, return to the business and kill employees. Source
12:55 p.m. Barnes arrived at FaithCo and spoke with employees. An employee told Barnes Jonathan had said he had something at home that could “take care of all y’all.” Barnes obtained Jonathan’s identity, address and vehicle information. Source
Barnes told a FaithCo employee that he had passed Jonathan’s pickup and said Jonathan did not look upset. The federal complaint alleges Barnes did not review FaithCo surveillance footage before leaving and did not fully investigate the context of the reported statement before proceeding to Jonathan’s home. Source
12:58:56 p.m. Barnes reported through CAD that he had passed Jonathan’s vehicle while responding and described a white 2000s Chevrolet pickup with items in the bed. Source
The federal complaint identifies a gap in Barnes’s body-camera recording between his FaithCo investigation and his arrival at the Layton residence. Barnes later told investigators that Deputy Tim Thompson called him and provided additional information about Jonathan. The plaintiffs dispute that account and allege they found no corresponding call in the records they reviewed. Source
1:08:35 p.m. Barnes reported that he was at Jonathan’s residence at 13244 County Road 4109. Source
1:09:36 p.m. Barnes advised dispatch that he was making contact at the residence. Source
Barnes briefed Deputy Raj Baran before approaching the house. Barnes described the reported FaithCo statement that Jonathan had something at home that could “fix” or “take care of” everyone. Source
Barnes and Baran approached the residence. Barnes knocked and announced, “Sheriff’s Office.” Dogs could be heard barking inside. Source
Freddie Layton Jr. answered the door. Barnes asked for the Layton associated with the pickup parked outside. Jonathan then appeared at the doorway carrying a handgun. Source
1:12:06 p.m. Baran ordered Jonathan to drop the gun. The plaintiffs’ reconstruction contends Jonathan began turning back toward the residence. Source
1:12:07 p.m. Barnes said, “What are you doing, man?” and drew and chambered his handgun. The complaint alleges the action ejected a live round. Source
1:12:08 p.m. Barnes fired four rounds. Jonathan was struck three times. The federal complaint alleges the fourth bullet entered the residence, struck a half wall near Freddie Jr. and ricocheted into the ceiling. Source
Immediately after being shot, Jonathan said, “I didn’t know. I put it down.” He repeatedly said that he did not know law enforcement was at the door. Source
Barnes asked Jonathan whether the deputies had announced “Sheriff’s Office.” Jonathan answered, “No.” Source
Jonathan told his mother, “Mom, I can’t breathe.” Baran retrieved a trauma kit, and officers began providing aid. Source
1:12:31 p.m. Baran radioed that shots had been fired and the suspect was down. Source
1:12:58 p.m. Baran requested EMS and advised emergency personnel were clear to enter. Source
1:13:49 p.m. EMS was notified. Source
1:15:27 p.m. Command personnel were notified. Source
1:17 p.m. Baran reported that the deputies were safe and requested additional units to secure the scene and assist EMS. Source
1:18:30 p.m. Dispatch reported EMS was eight minutes from the residence. Source
1:19:04 p.m. Sheriff Larry Smith was recorded as en route to the scene. Source
1:24:50 p.m. EMS arrived at the residence. Source
1:25:36 p.m. EMS documented Jonathan as unresponsive and pale with a thready right carotid pulse and a gunshot wound. Source
1:27:15 p.m. EMS documented a gunshot wound to Jonathan’s left upper arm. Source
1:29 p.m. EMS recorded Jonathan’s pulse at 107 and his Glasgow Coma Scale score as 3. Source
1:29:38 p.m. The scene was reported secure. Source
1:30:42 p.m. EMS documented gunshot wounds involving Jonathan’s back and upper left arm. Source
1:33:33 p.m. EMS documented absent radial and carotid pulses and continued resuscitative treatment. Source
1:37:10 p.m. EMS left the scene transporting Jonathan to the hospital. Source
1:54 p.m. Jonathan was pronounced dead at CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System in Lindale. His death certificate lists the cause of death as gunshot wounds and the manner of death as homicide. Source
Under Smith County protocol, the Texas Rangers assumed responsibility for investigating the officer-involved shooting, with Smith County crime-scene personnel assisting. Source
Barnes and Baran were placed on administrative leave following the shooting. Sheriff Smith said both deputies would be interviewed by the Texas Rangers and would undergo psychological evaluation before returning to duty. Source
Sheriff Smith publicly described Jonathan as turning in the hallway with a firearm pointed toward deputies before Barnes fired. That initial account later became disputed after body-camera footage, the autopsy, and other evidence were reviewed. Source

November 14, 2024

Barnes participated in a recorded investigative interview concerning the shooting. He described the FaithCo call, his conversations with employees, passing Jonathan’s pickup, traveling to the Layton residence and the encounter at the front door. Source
Barnes told investigators that he perceived Jonathan beginning to “blade” his body, believed Jonathan’s trigger finger was inside the trigger area and perceived the handgun beginning to rise before he fired. Source
Barnes told investigators that Deputy Tim Thompson had called him before the shooting and provided information portraying Jonathan as dangerous. The federal complaint later disputed whether the call occurred. Source
Baran also provided a recorded investigative account. The federal complaint cites Baran as describing Jonathan beginning to back into the residence and close the door when the shots were fired. Source

January 2, 2025

Jonathan’s autopsy documented three gunshot wounds. One involved the upper left chest, with a path involving the left clavicle, first rib, upper left lung, T3 vertebral region, upper right lung, and right third rib. Source
A second gunshot involved the lateral left upper arm, exited and re-entered near the left axilla, and continued through the sixth rib, lower left lung and toward the T9 vertebral region. Source
A third gunshot entered Jonathan’s lower left back and traveled through musculature toward the right psoas and inferior portion of the right liver. Source
The plaintiffs later cited the locations and trajectories of the wounds as evidence supporting their position that Jonathan was turning away from Barnes when he was shot. Source

Independent Investigation & Forensic Review

March 31, 2025

Shore Law Firm submitted a public-information request to the Tyler Police Department seeking Barnes’s application, hiring and background records, training, testing, performance reviews, complaints, discipline, demotions, termination or resignation records and information concerning his separation from Tyler PD. Source
The request also sought records concerning investigations of Barnes before his Smith County employment and any records requested by the Texas Rangers or other entities following Jonathan’s shooting. Source

April 2, 2025

Forensic audio expert Dr. Durand R. Begault conducted acoustic measurements at the Layton residence. Testing examined sound transmission from the deputies’ position outside the house to Jonathan’s location inside. Source

April 14, 2025

The City of Tyler responded to the records request and confirmed Barnes left city employment on January 6, 2018. Tyler released redacted personnel material and sought a Texas Attorney General ruling concerning records it maintained were confidential. Source
Tyler stated that its Internal Affairs files concerning Barnes were maintained separately from his civil-service personnel file and asserted that investigations not resulting in removal, suspension, demotion, or promotional passover were confidential under Texas law. Source
Tyler stated that a complete written copy of Tyler Police Case File 17-019162 was attached to Barnes’s civil-service file. The city described the case as a concluded criminal investigation and stated that prosecutors declined or dismissed the criminal cases associated with the investigation. The response did not identify Barnes as the criminal suspect. Source
Tyler stated it had no documents responsive to portions of the request seeking a pre-Smith County investigation of Barnes or records requested from Tyler by the Texas Rangers or another entity following Jonathan’s shooting. Source

April 21, 2025

Begault completed his forensic acoustic analysis after reviewing Barnes’, Baran’s, and Sabrina Rogers’ body-camera recordings and measurements obtained at the Layton residence. Source
Materials reviewed for the forensic analysis included Smith County call notes, Barnes and Baran interviews, Jonathan’s cellphone extraction, medical and autopsy material, crime-scene photographs, radio traffic, firearms and toolmark records, and body-camera evidence. Source
The analysis examined whether Barnes’s announcement of “Sheriff’s Office” would have been audible and intelligible to Jonathan amid televisions, fans, barking dogs, and other background noise inside the residence. Source
Begault concluded Barnes’s announcement would have been unintelligible and likely undetectable from Jonathan’s position under the measured background-noise conditions. Source
The analysis found Jonathan was visible on the body-camera recordings only during the final seconds preceding the shooting. Source
Begault’s analysis placed the command to drop the gun between 2.5 and 1.5 seconds before the gunfire. Source

May 27, 2025

Jeremy Layton, as administrator of Jonathan’s estate, Nancy Layton and Freddie Layton Jr. filed a federal civil-rights lawsuit. The complaint incorporated body-camera evidence, Texas Rangers interviews, dispatch records, autopsy findings, forensic acoustic analysis, and records concerning Barnes’s law-enforcement history. Source
Jonathan’s attorneys publicly released body-camera footage. The family maintained that the recordings contradicted the initial account that Jonathan turned toward deputies and pointed the firearm at them. Source
KLTV reported that before the federal lawsuit was filed, the Texas Rangers and Smith County District Attorney Jacob Putman had presented the shooting to a Smith County grand jury. Barnes was not indicted. Source

Federal Discovery & Continuing Investigation

September 30, 2025

10:38 a.m. – 11:19 a.m. A federal scheduling conference addressed discovery limits, expert discovery, interrogatories, third-party depositions, and a protective order. Source

October 10, 2025

Jeremy Layton filed notice of a subpoena directed to the DeSoto Police Department as plaintiffs sought law-enforcement records during discovery. Source

October 13, 2025

Plaintiffs issued subpoenas to multiple law-enforcement agencies, including the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office, Van Police Department, Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, Trinity County Sheriff’s Office, Smith County Constable Precinct 5, Marshall Police Department, Mabank Police Department, Limestone County Sheriff’s Office, Leon County Sheriff’s Office, Kilgore Police Department, Kaufman County Sheriff’s Office, Houston County Sheriff’s Office, Henderson Police Department, Gladewater Police Department, Fort Worth Police Department, Frankston Police Department, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Canton Police Department, Athens Police Department and Anderson County Sheriff’s Office. Source

October 16, 2025

Additional subpoenas were directed to Bullard, Chandler, Henderson, Whitehouse, Jacksonville, Mineola, Rusk, Troup, Palestine, Edgewood and Longview police departments and the Wood County Sheriff’s Office. Source

October 23, 2025

Plaintiffs pursued records from the Texas Rangers, Tyler Police Department, Lindale Police Department, and Fort Worth Police Department Training Division, along with other law-enforcement records. Source

October 28, 2025

Plaintiffs filed notice of a subpoena to the Waco Police Department. Source

October 30, 2025

Plaintiffs filed their first notice of discovery disclosure as evidence gathering continued. Source

November 14, 2025

Plaintiffs filed a second notice of discovery disclosure. Source

November 21, 2025

Plaintiffs served their first requests for admissions directed to Barnes. Source

December 18, 2025

The Texas Department of Public Safety opposed plaintiffs’ attempt to compel production of Texas Rangers and DPS investigative material and moved to quash the subpoena. Source

December 22, 2025

Plaintiffs filed a reply supporting their effort to compel the Texas Rangers and DPS investigative material. Source

December 30, 2025

Plaintiffs opposed DPS’s motion to quash the subpoena for investigative records. Source

January 2, 2026

Plaintiffs submitted additional evidence opposing the effort to quash discovery directed at investigative records. Source

January 8, 2026

The Court issued discovery subpoenas to the Limestone County and Trinity County sheriff’s offices. Source

January 14, 2026

Plaintiffs pursued additional law-enforcement records involving the San Marcos Police Department and Bexar County Sheriff’s Office. Source

January 20, 2026

The Smith County Commissioners Court agenda included an executive-session consultation concerning Layton v. Smith County, Case No. 2:25-cv-00585. Source

January 21, 2026

Plaintiffs issued a subpoena to Dr. Barry W. Rath as discovery continued. Source