Timothy Wayne McCullough

Timothy Wayne McCullough was a man who dedicated his time and energy to his family and friends. Born on June 3, 1997, in Amarillo, Texas, the 24-year-old White man was known for being very handy and able to fix almost any problem that arose. Above all, he loved his young son and cherished every opportunity he had to be with him. Those who knew him remembered a compassionate person, always willing to help others.

On the afternoon of Saturday, July 17, 2021, an argument that began on Facebook Messenger over a drug debt escalated to fatal violence. Timothy gave 22-year-old James Coy Mireles his location on the 600 block of South Mississippi Street in Amarillo's San Jacinto neighborhood. Around 1:49 p.m., a black Volkswagen Passat drove up to the residence. Residential surveillance video captured the driver opening his door and firing several shots toward a window of the home. Inside, Timothy was sitting and visible through that same window.

When Amarillo Police Department officers responded to 911 calls about a shooting, they found Timothy suffering from a life-threatening gunshot wound to the head. He was rushed to a local hospital, but his injuries were too severe. Timothy Wayne McCullough died from his injuries. In death, he gave a final gift to others; his family revealed that through organ donation, he saved the lives of six people.

The Amarillo Police Department’s Homicide Unit quickly identified James Coy Mireles as the suspect and obtained a murder warrant for his arrest. Police warned the public that Mireles was considered armed and dangerous, sparking a city-wide manhunt. The search ended four days after the shooting when deputies with the Deaf Smith County Sheriff’s Office spotted Mireles driving in Hereford, Texas. He refused to pull over, leading to a short vehicle pursuit that ended when he crashed his car near South Julian and fled into a nearby home.

A tense standoff ensued, with the Hereford Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety, U.S. Marshals, and the Amarillo Police Department SWAT team arriving to assist. After several failed attempts to make contact with Mireles, officers deployed tear gas into the home, forcing him out. He was taken into custody and booked into the Deaf Smith County Jail. He was later transferred to the Potter County Detention Center in January 2023.

In April 2026, James Coy Mireles, then 26, appeared in Potter County 320th District Court. He pleaded guilty to the murder of Timothy McCullough. A judge sentenced him to 25 years in prison for the murder charge and an additional 10 years for a charge of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. A co-defendant who had also been charged with murder in connection with Timothy’s death had their charge dismissed. As of April 2026, the case is closed with the conviction and sentencing of the man responsible for Timothy's death.