Crime
14-year-old Chase Dean Fatally Shot in Conroe, Three Suspects Charged with Murder
At approximately 1:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 3, 2025, deputies with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of a shooting in the 11900 block of Douget Road in Conroe, Texas.
Upon arrival, deputies discovered 14-year-old Chase Daniel Dean lying in the roadway with multiple gunshot wounds.
Despite immediate life-saving efforts by first responders, Dean was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit, Crime Scene Investigators, and representatives from the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office launched an intensive investigation, which quickly led to the identification of a 15-year-old male suspect, also from Conroe.
Detectives secured both an arrest warrant for the juvenile and a search warrant for his residence.
With assistance from the MCSO SWAT Team and Patrol Division, the warrants were executed, resulting in the juvenile’s arrest and the discovery of two additional suspects at the residence: 19-year-old James Fuller and 19-year-old Mason Goodwin, both residents of Conroe.
The 15-year-old suspect was taken into custody and transported to the Montgomery County Juvenile Detention Center, where he has been charged with murder.
Fuller and Goodwin were arrested without incident and booked into the Montgomery County Jail, each also facing charges of murder.
The investigation remains active and ongoing, and additional details will be shared as they are confirmed.
Sheriff Rand Henderson issued the following statement regarding the case:
“This was a heartbreaking and senseless act of violence that took the life of a child far too soon. Thanks to the swift and dedicated work of our deputies, detectives, and the District Attorney’s Office, we were able to quickly identify and apprehend those responsible. While the incident appears to have stemmed from a personal dispute, no motive can ever justify such a tragic loss. Our hearts go out to Chase’s family, and we ask the community to keep them in their thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time.”
Both adult suspects have prior criminal records in Montgomery County.
- Mason Goodwin was previously charged with assault involving family violence in September 2023 and served 25 days in jail. In November 2024, he was charged with criminal mischief for damaging property, sentenced just two weeks ago to 9 months in the DADJ program, and ordered to pay $920 in restitution.
- James Fuller was charged with assault in 2023; the case was later dismissed after he completed four hours of court-ordered anger management.
Anyone with additional information related to this case is encouraged to contact the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office at (936) 760-5800.
Crime
ROTC instructor killed in Old Dominion University shooting identified as Brandon Shah
Norfolk, Virginia — Authorities have identified the instructor killed during Thursday’s shooting at Old Dominion University as Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, a retired U.S. Army officer who had returned to the university to serve as an instructor with its Army ROTC program.
The shooting occurred at approximately 10:43 a.m. on the university’s campus in Norfolk. Police responded after receiving multiple emergency calls reporting an active shooter inside Constant Hall.
According to law enforcement sources, the suspect—identified by authorities as Mohammed Jalloh—entered the building and walked through the hallway before approaching a classroom where an Army ROTC session was underway.
The suspect reportedly asked individuals inside whether he had arrived at an ROTC class. When someone confirmed that it was, the suspect allegedly opened fire, fatally shooting the class instructor.
Voorhees University confirmed in a public Facebook statement that the victim was Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, noting the tragedy has personal ties to the institution.
“This tragedy is felt especially close to home for us, as the victim, Lieutenant Colonel Brandon Shah, was the son-in-law of Voorhees University Trustee and alumnus Dr. Dan Martin,” the university wrote in its statement. “We lift Dr. Martin and his family in our thoughts and prayers during this time of unimaginable loss.”
Shah was a native of Staunton and began his military career by enlisting in the United States Army in 2003 as an aviation operations specialist.
In 2005, he enrolled at Old Dominion University, where he later received his Army commission in 2007. Shah graduated with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a minor in military science.
Following his commissioning, Shah served extensively in Army aviation. According to his alumni profile at ODU, he earned the Army Aviation Senior Aviator wings, logging more than 1,200 flight hours across three different aircraft and accumulating over 600 combat flight hours during his service.
In addition to his undergraduate degree, Shah pursued advanced education, earning an MBA from University of Georgia and a Master of Science in Engineering Management from University of Kansas.
Throughout his military career, Shah received numerous awards and distinctions. Among them were the Senior Army Aviator Badge, Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge, and Air Assault Badge.
His alumni biography also described him as a strong advocate for minority and veteran business education, highlighting his involvement in initiatives that support diversity, inclusion, and entrepreneurship. In addition to his professional work, Shah volunteered his time to assist underserved communities.
Shah returned to his alma mater in summer 2022 to serve as an instructor and help lead the Army ROTC Monarch Battalion at Old Dominion University. In that role, he mentored and trained students pursuing military leadership careers.
University officials and members of the campus community have expressed deep sorrow over his death, remembering Shah as a dedicated officer, educator, and mentor whose service and leadership had a lasting impact on students and colleagues alike.
Law enforcement agencies continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Authorities have not yet released additional details about the suspect’s motive, and the investigation remains active.
