More details on the Diana Pier shooting
On August 5th Williamson County Detectives released a statement regarding the investigation of a homicide that occurred on August 4th, 2022, at approximately 8:45 pm. Williamson County received a 911 call regarding a shooting in the 4500 block of County Road 245, outside the City of Florence, in Northwestern Williamson County. On deputies’ arrival, they found a 70-year-old female deceased on the roadway. They also asked for the public’s help and for information on a gray or silver sedan that was seen in the area at the time of the shooting.
Former Round Rock resident victim of a shooting in Florence
The victim’s identity was released several days later on August 8th as 70-year-old, Diana Lynn Pier of Florence, Texas.
Williamson County Sheriff’s department held a press conference in Georgetown Thursday, August 11th, one week later to discuss the deadly shooting of Pier in Florence on August 4th. In addition to the multiple detectives who are investigating the shooting, several members of Pier’s Family were present.
At the press conference Commander John Foster with the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division. revealed that they were still developing leads and also stated that Williamson County Crime Stoppers was offering a $5,000 reward for information and an anonymous person had stepped forward and offered a $25,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the people responsible for this crime.
Williamson County Sheriff’s department still investigating the shooting of 70-year-old Diana Lynn Pier in Florence
“We believe this was an unprovoked random act of violence. The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office appreciates the support that the Williamson County community has shown towards the solving of this tragic crime” said Commander John Foster. Diana had been visiting a family member in Round Rock and was returning to her home in Florence when she was shot and killed.
On August 13th, in a media release, the Williamson County Sheriff’s Department stated that at approximately 3:00 am on August 13, 2022, Williamson County Detectives had arrested 26-year-old Joshua Anthony Gilbreath from Pflugerville, Texas for the August 4th, 2022, murder of Diana Lynn Pier of Florence, Texas
Gilbreath was turned over to Williamson County Detectives by the United States Marshal’s Office after being located in a parking lot at 2051 Gattis School Rd in Round Rock, TX. Gilbreath was charged with murder and was taken into custody without incident. Gilbreath was taken to the Williamson County Jail and held on a one-million-dollar bond.
New information
Details being released by multiple news sources from a recently obtained arrest affidavit explain what lead investigators to Gilbreath.
According to the Affidavit, on the evening of August 4th, a witness living in the area of the shooting on CR 245 stated that she saw a silver sedan with its flashers on, parked in the southbound lane of CR 245. She observed a vehicle driven by 70-year-old Diana Lynn Pier, drive past the silver sedan and pull into a driveway area. The witness stated she then saw someone running from the rear of Pier’s car to the silver sedan, which was still parked on the roadway with its flashers on. The silver sedan then sped off “at a high rate of speed”.
After the silver sedan sped off, the witness walked to the end of her driveway and saw a woman lying in the roadway, the woman was later identified as Pier.
At this time the exact reason Pier was shot has not been released but the medical examiner has confirmed Pier died from a gunshot wound. Investigators also found a shell casing in the road near Pier’s body.
Information in the affidavit also states Gilbreath bought a used pistol in Pflugerville on July 29 from a local gun shop. Investigators also obtained photos of the cartridges Gilbreath purchased that same day, and they matched the cartridge found at the crime scene in Florence.
According to information in the affidavit, on August 11th a friend of Gilbreath called the police and said that Gilbreath had told him about the shooting, while at a bar, and divulged details about the shooting.
Investigators were also able to locate Gilbreath’s phone and the vehicle in the area of the crime scene during the time of the shooting. In addition, the shell casing found at the scene matched the type of ammo purchased when Gilbreath purchased the gun.