A Texas man was formally charged with murder after his girlfriend, a 25-year-old woman, died days after being shot in the head inside a home in Beaumont.

The defendant was identified as Brandon Chretien, 44 years old. He was initially facing a charge of aggravated assault with a firearm for causing serious brain injuries, but the charge was elevated after the death of the victim.

The woman was identified as Tammy Dawson.

The victim remained hospitalized before dying

The incident occurred on June 6 at a residence located on Heartfield Lane, in Beaumont, east of Texas.

According to court documents cited by local media, agents went to the scene around 2:40 am after receiving a report of a person injured by a gunshot.

Authorities found Dawson inside a closet with a gunshot wound to the head. She was taken to a local hospital in critical condition and remained with severe brain damage before passing away the next day.

Investigators later determined that the injury was not self-inflicted.

The accused claimed that there was a struggle

According to the statement included in the file, Chretien called emergency services and stated that a struggle over a gun had occurred between the two and that the shot was fired during that episode.

Police said they found the firearm on a nightstand inside the home.

Although the authorities have not publicly disclosed all the evidence, they maintain that the investigation indicates that the accused fired the shot.

Family and friends remembered Dawson as a close and affectionate person.

"She was the personification of love. She had a lot to give," a friend told local media.

Remains detained while the process progresses

Since his arrest, Chretien has been held at the Jefferson County Correctional Facility.

During an initial hearing, a judge set bail at $1 million and imposed restrictions including GPS monitoring, a weapons ban and limitations on communicating with potential witnesses.

The case remains under investigation.