Crime
13-Year-Old Arrested for Fatal Shooting of 18-Year-Old at Benton Park in Amarillo
AMARILLO, TX – A 13-year-old boy has been arrested and charged with murder following a fatal shooting at Benton Park on Tuesday evening, according to the Amarillo Police Department.
At approximately 7:30 p.m. on April 22, officers responded to a report of a shooting at Benton Park, located in the 1400 block of South Vernon Street in east Amarillo.
Upon arrival, officers discovered 18-year-old Ethan DeLeon suffering from a gunshot wound inside a vehicle parked at the scene.
Officers immediately began performing life-saving measures until paramedics arrived. Despite their efforts, DeLeon was pronounced dead at the scene.
Through the course of the investigation, detectives with the Amarillo Police Department Homicide Unit determined that the alleged shooter was a 13-year-old male.
The juvenile suspect was taken into custody and has been booked into the Youth Center of the High Plains on a charge of murder.
Crime Scene Investigators remained on site for several hours Tuesday night, collecting evidence and processing the scene.
Authorities have not yet released details regarding the motive behind the shooting or how the suspect came into possession of a firearm.
The Amarillo Police Department is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact APD’s Homicide Unit at (806) 378-9468 or submit tips anonymously through Amarillo Crime Stoppers at (806) 374-4400.
This tragic incident has left the community shocked, as questions remain about the involvement of such a young suspect in a deadly act of violence.
Crime
Two Children Killed, Two Others Critically Injured in Angleton-Area Shooting, Mother in Custody
ANGLETON, Texas — Authorities are investigating a tragic shooting in Brazoria County that left two children dead and two others critically injured early Saturday morning.
According to the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO), deputies were dispatched around 5:00 a.m. after a distressed woman called 911, reporting that her son had attempted to kill her and that multiple children were in the vehicle with her.
Deputies located the woman and the children at a gas station on State Highway 288B near FM 521.
Investigators believe the shooting occurred elsewhere, and multiple agencies are now working to determine the exact location of the incident.
Upon arrival, deputies found four children suffering from gunshot wounds. A 13-year-old and a 4-year-old were pronounced dead at the scene.
An 8-year-old and a 9-year-old were airlifted to a nearby trauma hospital in critical condition.
Authorities later confirmed both surviving children are expected to recover.
Initial reports indicate that all individuals involved have been accounted for, and there is no ongoing threat to the community.
A female adult—believed to be the children’s mother—has been taken into custody.
While investigators initially received conflicting information suggesting one of the children may have been responsible, authorities now believe the adult female was the shooter.
In a statement, the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office said:
“All individuals believed to be involved have been detained, and there is no ongoing threat to the community. While the details are still developing, the loss of two children in such a manner is a tragedy. Our thoughts are with the family and everyone affected as we continue to learn more about this heartbreaking situation.”
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office confirmed it is assisting Brazoria County investigators at a related residence in Montgomery County, believed to be connected to the ongoing investigation.
Authorities have not yet released the names of the victims or the suspect pending notification of next of kin.
The investigation remains active.