On January 24, 2023, 25-year-old Jared James Thomas Aplin was found deceased inside a vehicle at 1212 Whitson Street in Bay City, Texas. The location was identified as the former Linnie Roberts Elementary School. Law enforcement authorities determined that Aplin had been fatally shot, categorizing the incident as a homicide.
In the subsequent investigation, Bay City Police, in collaboration with the Texas Rangers and other agencies, identified and apprehended multiple suspects.
Initially, a 16-year-old juvenile and 17-year-old Clarence Kimble Small were arrested and charged in connection with Aplin's murder. Later, on April 19, 2023, U.S. Marshals apprehended Yashua Verntral Lee Caesar near Wharton County. Caesar was charged with murder and aggravated robbery and was booked into the Matagorda County Jail.
As of September 2024, legal proceedings were ongoing. Clarence Kimble Small, who had turned 18, was scheduled to stand trial on October 1, 2024, facing charges of murder and aggravated robbery. If convicted, he could face a prison sentence ranging from 5 to 99 years and a fine of up to $10,000. The cases against the other suspects, including the juvenile and Caesar, were also progressing through the judicial system.
Aplin's death was a significant loss to his family and the Bay City community. Born on December 16, 1997, in Galveston, Texas, he was remembered as a kind-hearted and caring individual who deeply loved his family. He is survived by his wife, Kayla Rodriguez; daughters, Khalani and Jania Lynn Aplin; son, Eric Jayasi; parents, Kathy and Michael Martinez; sister, Cassie Aplin; and brother, Dakota Aplin, among other relatives. His passing left a void in the lives of those who knew and loved him.
