An Oklahoma judge named Brian N. Lovell allegedly went on a road rage binge in Texas, ramming into a woman’s car and randomly shooting at a number of vehicles before getting busted.
(Video Credit: Sara Smith TV)
Lovell is now using the Schultz defense, asserting that he doesn’t remember shooting his gun.
The Garfield judge was arrested in Austin on Sept. 11. Lovell is facing a misdemeanor charge of reckless driving, according to Travis County, Texas, online court records. There is also a felony offense of deadly conduct discharge of a firearm that was filed on Sept. 12 and it is listed as “pre-indictment.” Texas has standing grand juries that review offenses and recommend possible criminal charges.
Reports contend that he fired shots at five cars at the intersection of Matamoros and Santa Maria streets in Austin in a fit of rage, according to an arrest affidavit that KFOR reported on.
Responding officers found “several vehicles with projectile defect in them,” according to the affidavit. The owner of one vehicle gave police permission to search the vehicle and a projectile was recovered from the interior of the rear passenger side door. APD Detective Thomas Curran commented that he “observed five other vehicles believed to have been shot in the immediate area.” Three .40-caliber shell casings were recovered at the scene of the shootings.
We’re learning about some WILD CHARGES facing OKLAHOMA JUDGE Brian Noel Lovell for road rage and gunplay in Austin Texas on Sept. 11th.
Here is a thread on the incident involving the Garfield County Judge. (1/4) pic.twitter.com/hGAXjIIWRw— Tara Blume (@tcblume) September 20, 2023
Witnesses told police that they saw a man in a white SUV leaving the area after the incident occurred at about 4 p.m. But that wasn’t the end of the judge’s alleged meltdown.
Approximately 90 minutes later, Lovell reportedly attempted to push a woman’s car into oncoming traffic, according to KFOR. That occurred about two miles away from the first incident.
“She stated she felt positive pressure on her vehicle as a result of Lovell maintaining contact with her vehicle after the second collision and she had to keep her foot on her brake in order to not be pushed forward.” (3/4) pic.twitter.com/U3ueaX4xBL
— Tara Blume (@tcblume) September 20, 2023
KFOR noted that reports indicate that Lovell “intentionally” slammed his SUV into the back of the woman’s car, twice at an intersection.
Lovell told police the woman cut him off in traffic and “he rear-ended her vehicle,” the affidavit states. “He also recalled rear-ending … (the) vehicle a second time, but did not admit the collisions were intentional.”
A gun and magazine were found inside the judge’s SUV after he was arrested. Lovell did not admit to firing the gun.
He told the police he “did not know why he would have shot his gun and could not recall any part of the shooting incident,” according to the media outlet.
Lovell says “he did not know why” he would have shot his gun but also admits “Costilla cut him off in traffic and he rear-ended her vehicle.” @Adria_Goins knocks on the judge’s door and has the story at 4:30/6 @KFOR (4/4)
— Tara Blume (@tcblume) September 20, 2023
On Sept. 11th, Austin police got a call about a driver who “discharged a firearm approximately five times while driving down the street.” Five vehicles were hit by the gunfire. One of those drivers says Lovell hit her vehicle intentionally… twice. (2/4) pic.twitter.com/gxjL87c4Sp
— Tara Blume (@tcblume) September 20, 2023
“Lovell stated there is a Glock 23 .40-caliber firearm and a Smith & Wesson M&P .380 firearm in the vehicle as well,” according to the affidavit.
Lovell has been a judge for twelve years. Since the incident, he has returned to his home in Waukomis, OK, according to the Enid News & Eagle. He has not returned to the courtroom and has not handled court cases since coming back from vacationing in Austin.
His bond was set at $10,000 on the reckless driving charge according to online court records. A mental health evaluation was ordered by the court for the judge within seven days of his release.
Lovell will appear in court on Oct. 4, according to the Enid News & Eagle.
The Judge’s booking photo: pic.twitter.com/fBMh2mVhAJ
— Tara Blume (@tcblume) September 20, 2023
District Judge Paul Woodward was shocked by Lovell’s meltdown, according to the news outlet.
“Brian Lovell has been a very good friend and colleague for years, and this is all hard to believe,” Woodward remarked. “So, we are waiting for more information and are not jumping to any conclusions. I wish I knew what happened but I do not.”
Lovell’s pending cases will be covered by the other judges in the Garfield County Court House.
“This will put an extra burden on everyone, but we will get it covered,” Woodward added.
He is the administrative judge for the 18-county judicial district including Garfield County.
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