A 12-year-old boy has been arrested and charged with capital murder in Texas in relation to the shooting death of a professional boxer.
The victim, 24-year-old John Duane VanMeter, was shot in his home Wednesday night, as reported by a statement from the Uvalde Police Department.
VanMeter’s girlfriend called 911 stating someone broke into the home and shot him. When officers came to the scene, VanMeter was discovered lying in the living room with a gunshot wound to the head.
The couple caught someone trying to break in their door before VanMeter went to see what was going on, according to the Uvalde-Leader News. His girlfriend was in the bedroom when she heard gunfire.
The young boxer, who was known as “The California Kid,” was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Witnesses told police that a male dressed in all black with a black bandana over his face was seen running away from the home where VanMeter was shot.
VanMeter had been boxing since he was 10 years old and had been boxing professionally since 2015, as reported by the Leader-News.
The local Ortiz Boxing Gym grieved VanMeter’s death on Facebook.
“We are at a loss for words. It’s a sad night, not just for Tree City Boxing, but for our entire community. Please keep the VanMeters in your prayers,” the gym wrote alongside with a picture of VanMeter.
“[Our] deepest condolences go out to the Vanmeter family we lost not only a great boxer but also a great friend always willing to help out upcoming fighters Rest Easy Champ,” the gym stated in another post along with a video of VanMeter training with a colleague.
The suspect is being detained at a juvenile detention facility. It is uncertain if he has reserved a lawyer who can respond on his behalf.
