Jordan Hightower, a 31-year-old male from Arlington, Texas, tragically lost his life on January 17, 2021. He was working as a clerk at an E-Z Mart convenience store when he was shot multiple times by Dorian Ray Woodard, a 20-year-old male, during an attempted robbery. Surveillance footage captured Woodard entering the store, grabbing items, and then pulling out a handgun and demanding Hightower open the register.
When Hightower was unable to comply due to his injuries, Woodard shot him again before attempting to open the register himself. Hightower was left unconscious on the floor behind the counter for over an hour before someone called 911. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Following the incident, Woodard fled the scene but was later identified by surveillance footage and tips from the public. He was arrested four days later and charged with capital murder. In October 2022, a Tarrant County jury found Woodard guilty of capital murder and sentenced him to life in prison, plus a $10,000 fine. The court described the act as senseless violence, and Hightower's family expressed their grief and desire for justice.
The case highlighted the importance of community vigilance and cooperation with law enforcement, as tips from the public played a crucial role in identifying and apprehending the suspect. Hightower was remembered by his family as a person with a huge heart, and his loss deeply affected those who knew him.
