Johnathan Findley Obituary, Death: Galveston County double murder suspect died by suicide after police chase, authorities say

Johnathan Findley Obituary, Death – A tragic double homicide unfolded late Friday night in the Gilchrist area of Galveston County, Texas, claiming the lives of a father and daughter. Authorities from the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office have identified the victims and the suspect, who later took his own life after fleeing the scene and engaging law enforcement in a pursuit.

The victims have been identified as 45-year-old Eric Dopp, a resident of Houston, and his 23-year-old daughter, Wisdom Hall. According to the sheriff’s office, the incident occurred around 11:30 p.m. on Friday, May 30, 2025, when deputies responded to reports of a shooting at a residence located in the 900 block of Kilpatrick Road in the coastal community of Gilchrist.

Upon arrival, deputies discovered both Dopp and Hall outside the home, fatally wounded from gunshots. Despite immediate emergency response, both were pronounced dead at the scene. The initial investigation revealed that the shooting followed a verbal altercation involving the two victims and the suspect, later identified as 38-year-old Johnathan Findley of Pasadena, Texas.

Witnesses at the scene reported that the confrontation quickly escalated, with Findley allegedly pulling out a firearm and shooting both Dopp and Hall before fleeing in a white vehicle. Authorities were immediately alerted to the suspect’s vehicle description and launched a search operation across nearby counties.

In the early hours of Saturday morning, deputies from the Chambers County Sheriff’s Office located a vehicle matching the description of Findley’s. The vehicle was spotted traveling through Chambers County, prompting law enforcement to attempt a traffic stop. Despite their efforts, Findley refused to comply and continued driving, leading officers on a pursuit that eventually ended near College Street and Interstate 10 in Beaumont.

As law enforcement closed in, they discovered Findley inside the vehicle with a fatal gunshot wound that appeared to be self-inflicted. Medical responders confirmed that he had died by suicide. The vehicle was secured, and no other individuals were found inside.

The Galveston County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the parties involved in the shooting knew each other and were all visiting a mutual acquaintance in the Gilchrist area at the time of the incident. While the exact nature of the argument that led to the shooting is still under investigation, officials noted that the altercation became heated enough to result in violence.

Investigators are now working to uncover more details about the relationship between the suspect and victims, as well as what may have sparked the fatal confrontation. No weapons have been reported missing, and it remains unclear whether Findley brought the gun with him or retrieved it during the argument.

The sheriff’s office is also interviewing witnesses who were present at the residence or nearby when the shooting occurred. They are urging anyone with further information about the incident or the events leading up to it to come forward and assist with the investigation.

Local authorities emphasized the shocking nature of the crime and expressed condolences to the victims’ family. “This was a senseless act of violence that took the lives of two innocent people,” one official stated. “We are committed to conducting a thorough investigation and understanding the circumstances that led to this tragic loss.”

The incident has deeply impacted the Gilchrist community, a quiet area located on the Bolivar Peninsula. Residents expressed shock and sadness upon learning about the shooting and subsequent suicide. The violent events, rare for the coastal town, have prompted conversations about domestic conflicts and the unpredictable nature of interpersonal disputes.

The Galveston County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with Chambers County authorities and the Beaumont Police Department, continues to piece together the final timeline of events. Forensic evidence is being collected from both the crime scene in Gilchrist and the vehicle in Beaumont where Findley was found.

Autopsies for all three individuals—Eric Dopp, Wisdom Hall, and Johnathan Findley—are being conducted by the medical examiner’s office to confirm the causes of death and provide any additional insight that might support the ongoing investigation.

Officials have not commented on whether Findley had a criminal record or any history of violent behavior. They also have not disclosed whether drugs or alcohol played a role in the altercation.

At this time, authorities are not seeking additional suspects, and there is no indication that anyone else was involved in the shooting or the subsequent pursuit. The Galveston County Sheriff’s Office has expressed gratitude to all assisting agencies, including the Chambers County Sheriff’s Office and Beaumont Police, for their swift response and cooperation.

As the investigation moves forward, the community mourns the loss of two lives in a tragedy that has left a lasting impact on family, friends, and neighbors alike. Anyone with information related to the case is encouraged to contact the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office.