12-year-old charged with capital murder after pro boxer shot dead during home invasion

Bloodyelbow.com

On Wednesday evening police in Uvalde, TX were called to the residence of John Duane VanMeter, 24. VanMeter’s girlfriend had called 911 to report that someone had broken into their home. When police arrived they found VanMeter with a gunshot wound to the head. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital shortly after.

San Antonio News reported that, after the shooting, an individual was seen running from the scene. Witnesses said that individual was dressed all in black, with a black bandana covering the lower part of their face.

On Friday, ESPN reported that a 12-year-old boy had been taken into custody and charged with capital murder. Uvalde Police Chief Daniel Rodriguez told media that his investigators are trying to determine a motive for the slaying.

VanMeter’s girlfriend told San Antonio News that the 12-year-old suspect was a classmate of her son who lived with them for a period of time. She claimed she had told the suspect he, “couldn’t come around anymore” after some alleged incidents of “trouble” and “stealing.”

The suspect, who has not been identified by name, has been held at the Jourdanton Juvenile Detention Center. According to People Texas law prohibits children under the age of 14 being tried as adult for first-degree felonies.

VanMeter — a super featherweight — went by ‘The California Kid’ during his fledgling boxing career, which began in 2016 (per BoxRec). In his first five fights VanMeter came up short, losing by unanimous decision in four of those bouts. The other was a no contest.

VanMeter’s first pro victories came in November last year. On November 17th he defeated Christian Morris by TKO. Then, on the 30th, he beat Nelson Hampton via unanimous decision.

David Hernandez, who trained VanMeter at the Tree City Boxing Club in Uvalde, said VanMeter had a “heart of gold and an amazing spirit.”