**South Tyler Man Charged with Murder in Fatal Road Rage Shooting; Bail Set at $1 Million**
A South Tyler man faces a murder charge after a road rage incident escalated into a fatal shooting last Thursday, June 13, claiming the life of Charles Dewayne Hill, 47. William Ray Johnson, 46, was charged by Friday morning, June 14, and is being held on a $1 million bond.
The shooting occurred around 6:30 p.m. in South Tyler near the busy intersection of South Broadway Avenue (US 69) and Grande Boulevard (Loop 323). According to an arrest affidavit, an argument between Johnson, driving a white Ford F-250, and Hill, in a black Ford F-150, began near the intersection.
The altercation escalated when Johnson allegedly pulled out a handgun and shot Hill before fleeing the scene in his F-250. Hill was transported to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
Witnesses provided police with a description of Johnson's truck, leading officers to locate the vehicle in a nearby parking lot shortly after the incident. Authorities then found Johnson hiding behind a business in the 3800 block of South Broadway, where he was arrested without further incident.
During questioning, Johnson claimed self-defense, telling detectives that Hill had cut him off in traffic and displayed a handgun first. Investigators later found a handgun in Hill's F-150, located on the passenger seat floorboard, according to reports.
Johnson is currently held at the Smith County Jail on a $1 million bond.

