John Duane VanMeter, a 24-year-old professional boxer known as The California Kid, was shot and killed in his Uvalde, Texas, home on January 23, 2019. His girlfriend called 911 after hearing someone try to kick in the door; officers found VanMeter in the living room with a gunshot wound to the head. He was taken to a local hospital and pronounced dead.

A 12-year-old boy, unnamed because of his age, was charged with capital murder. Witnesses said the boy, dressed in black with a black bandana over his face, was seen running from the home and had stayed with VanMeter’s family on and off for about two months. Reports say the boy knew the family and had a history of behavioral problems including shoplifting and threats. He was held at a juvenile detention facility; Texas law bars trying children under 14 as adults for first-degree felonies, so he will remain in juvenile custody until age 19 when a judge may decide whether to transfer him to an adult facility or release him on parole.

The Uvalde boxing community mourned VanMeter, calling him a friend and mentor to younger fighters. Does anyone have information about VanMeter’s movements that night or saw someone fitting the description running from the house?