Suspect dies after injuring Johnson County deputy during exchange of gunfire with first responders, officials say

A suspect died, and a deputy was injured after the suspect started shooting while deputies were responding to a reported structure fire in Johnson County early Wednesday morning, officials said. 

The Johnson County Sheriff's Office initially said at about 3 a.m., deputies were called to the 5400 block of County Road 605 in Burleson, along with local fire crews, to a structure fire. When they arrived, shots were fired at first responders, and one deputy was hit in the face by shrapnel while using a ballistic shield, authorities said.

Deputies were able to locate the suspected shooter, and during that encounter, deputies fired their weapons. 

The sheriff's office confirmed the suspect, later identified by Texas DPS as 75-year-old William James Rogers, died at the scene. However, the sheriff's office didn't clarify if the suspect was killed by deputies.

DPS also clarified the timeline, saying first responders were called out around 1 a.m. At 2:40 a.m., crews who were working to douse the flames heard gunfire. The agency said Johnson County deputies found Rogers, who was reportedly holding a pistol, before gunfire was exchanged.

The deputy who was injured by shrapnel during the exchange was transported to a hospital and later released. 

The family told CBS News Texas that Rogers lived alone, and said his wife passed away two years ago, which has impacted him severely.

"He'd been upset for a while about things, and I'm pretty sure that contributed to all of it, and it's a shame because I've known him for a long time, and he's always been, he always had a smile on his face and was always so happy," said the neighbor.

It's unclear how the fire started; the Texas Rangers have taken over the investigation.

"It's just sad that to look over there and there's no house anymore, it's gone. They're gone. He's gone," said the neighbor.