Man Charged with Murder After Shooting Alleged Car Thief

Big Spring-- A man passing through Big Spring has been charged with murder after chasing down a man who reportedly stole his vehicle and fatally shooting the thief, Howard County Sheriff Stan Parker reports.

The incident occurred on Aug. 9 at approximately 8:20 p.m., a press release states. Howard County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to the TA truck stop at 704 W. Interstate 20 for the report of a stolen vehicle.

The call initiated from James Keck, 24, who stated that his mother’s vehicle had just been stolen from the truck stop. Keck informed dispatch that he was following the vehicle on the north service road of I-20, reaching speeds of 105 mph, the release states. The vehicle then turned north on Highway 176.

Howard County Sheriff’s Deputies, Big Spring Police and EMS personnel responded to the scene, where they found that Keck had shot 42-year-old Bobby Bricker of Big Spring, the man who had allegedly stolen the vehicle.

Justice of the Peace Bennie Green later pronounced Bricker deceased.

“Based upon the investigation and available evidence, investigators determined the shooting was not justified by Keck,” Sheriff Parker states in the press release.

Keck was subsequently taken into custody and charged with murder. Keck is not a Big Spring resident and was passing through when the incident occurred.

The investigation is ongoing and no further information is available at this time. Howard County Sheriff Stan Parker will release further details as they become available.