Shots fired; streets shaken
Grappling with a wave of gun violence that has left neighborhoods throughout Beaumont shaken and shell-shocked, overburdened law enforcement and detention centers are stretched to their limits. Furthermore, as the streets erupt in violence, tensions behind bars are exacerbated with feuding factions detained in close quarters for extended – and, sometimes, very brief – stays. In the current climate, Jefferson County Sheriff Zena Stephens told The Examiner that the influx of violent offenders, many from rival groups, is straining the county jail system.
Within the first week of May alone, the Beaumont Police Department (BPD) responded to six shootings that injured eight individuals, including juveniles. According to BPD investigators, the violence is largely attributed to an ongoing feud between two rival groups.
“This is not random,” BPD Public Information Officer Haley Morrow stated. “These are targeted attacks between known individuals, and our detectives are working tirelessly to investigate these cases.”
The most recent reported development in calming the gunplay came May 27, when 19-year-old Latrick Williams – the 12th suspect linked to a May 5 shooting near Pietzsch-MacArthur Elementary – turned himself in at BPD headquarters. Williams, already on probation and subject to a warrant for unlawfully carrying a weapon, further allegedly resisted officers and attempted to destroy evidence during his interview with BPD, leading to additional charges for tampering and resisting.
Eleven other suspects, ranging in age from 16 to 39, were already in custody for the May 5 incident, which involved a chaotic exchange of gunfire that struck multiple vehicles and buildings, dangerously close to an elementary school. Among those arrested were Kevontay Toddric Keon Willis, 23; Montreal Arjah Lightfoot, 19; Yamuel Burgos, 19; Kevin Plowden Jr., 21; Makerrick Kirkwood, 19; Brittani Newcost, 39; Jordan Washington, 28; Wesley Davis, 20; and multiple juveniles.
Major violent incidents reported this month include:
• May 1: Two individuals are shot at 3255 Elmira, one struck in the neck and airlifted to a Houston hospital
• May 4: Multiple shootings erupt, including at the Grand Hotel on N. 11th Street, the 1700 block of Glasshouse, and the 500 block of E. Virginia, with residences and victims hit
• May 5: Shootout on Maddox Street involving multiple gunmen
• May 7: Gunfire again hit the 500 block of E. Virginia, damaging homes
• May 8: Another shooting reported at 3255 Elmira
• May 13: A dominoes game turned deadly in the 1400 block of Prairie; 30-year-old Travon Alexander is arrested in connection to the dispute that left a man dead
• May 26: A man is shot in the 4600 block of Carnegie Street, with the suspect arrested for aggravated assault
Investigators have confirmed that many of these shootings are connected, forming a deadly chain reaction of retaliations.
“The morning of May 28, we had a conflict break out between two of the suspects involved in these very shootings – right inside the Jefferson County Correctional Facility,” Stephens revealed. “We’re losing the ability to create safe spaces for our community because we’re running out of room for the most dangerous people.”
Stephens explained that many maximum-security single cells are occupied by mentally ill inmates, leaving murderers and known rivals housed together in general population, putting both inmates and staff in danger.
“It’s like a puzzle trying to keep these guys apart,” Stephens said, noting that she’s been forced to continually utilize space in the downtown jail to isolate high-risk individuals. Stevens said the challenge is not just about space, it’s about awareness.
“Many times,” she said, “our officers don’t even know about the animosity between these guys until it’s too late.”
Calls routed through the jail to persons on the outside promise more violence. During a May 28 hearing in Jefferson County Judge John Stevens’ Criminal District Court, alleged criminal accomplice in murder Isaiah Murchison made no argument when prosecutors further alleged the young defendant promised to commit a new murder while on a three-way call with his sister and brother, alleged murderer Jason Murchison. Prosecutors said Isaiah Murchison threatened to “kill an individual by the name of Peanut” if the would-be victim didn’t pony-up bail money for the then-incarcerated Beaumonter.
While BPD continues to make arrests and pursue leads – often with the help of law enforcement and community partnerships – Stephens is calling for systemic change by way of the mental health diversion center in hopes of relief in detention infrastructure and calls on parents to be more hands-on with their children – before they end up in her jail.
“I raised my kid, but for a lot of people, that cow’s already gotten out of the gate,” said Stephens.
Meanwhile, Crime Stoppers of Southeast Texas continues to offer a $1,000 reward for information leading to arrests of those responsible for violent felony offenses. Tips can be submitted anonymously by calling (409) 833-TIPS (8477) or using the P3Tips app.