WILLIAMSON COUNTY — The Williamson County Sheriff’s Department has arrested a 34-year-old Hurst man in connection with the alleged beating death Friday morning of a 40-year-old Lockport man.

Benjamin R. Howell was arrested for first degree murder in the death of Chad E. Jones. The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office says Howell is being held at the Williamson County Jail, with bail set at $1 million.

Howell is formally charged in Williamson County Court with three counts first-degree murder, two of which are for intent to kill or injure Jones and one for knowing his actions had the strong probability to kill or injure Jones.

According to the sheriff’s department, they received a 9-1-1 call around 2 o’clock Friday morning. The caller reported finding a man, now identified as Jones, lying on the ground outside a pickup truck in the 400 block of North Bush Avenue in Hurst.

Reports say Jones appeared badly beaten, and was transported to the Herrin Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office launched an investigation into Jones’ death, which they are calling a homicide.

Persons of interest were quickly identified, located and interviewed by detectives.