SAN JACINTO COUNTY, Texas — The arson and burglary suspect at the center of the hours-long standoff in San Jacinto County on Thursday has now been charged with capital murder, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
Tyler Lance Williams is accused of killing William McLain, known as Billy, before breaking into his home and burning it down. Billy's body was later found in the Trinity River.
Neighbors are shocked to learn he won't ever be coming back.
"The other day, when all of this took place, it was tragic," said neighbor Ronnie Chreene. "He was a good neighbor, a hell of a guy. He’ll be missed."
Billy's home caught fire on Dec. 23. His neighbors filed a missing person's report the next day when they couldn't find him. It was later determined that the fire was intentionally set, according to Polk County Sheriff Byron Lyons.
Investigators linked Williams to the fire and tracked his vehicle to a home in San Jacinto County. When deputies made their way to the home, Williams barricaded himself inside for several hours before eventually surrendering.
During a news conference Saturday morning, Lyons said Billy and Williams knew one another, but he didn't share any details on the motive for the killing. It's also unknown how Billy died.
"Speaking to his employer, he was hard-working and went to work every day," Lyons said. "And unfortunately, these individuals who were acquaintances, for some unknown reason this joy ride went south."
Lyons said though someone has been charged with Billy's death, this investigation is far from over.
"Hopefully the justice system will give him what he deserves," said Chreene.
Another person has been charged in connection with this investigation. Jessy Erin Reeves is charged with burglary of a habitation, but right now, authorities don't believe she was involved in Billy's death.