Matthew Thane, an 18-year-old male from Flower Mound, Texas, tragically died on August 18, 2020. He was shot and killed at his home early in the morning by a man wearing a helmet and jeans. The suspect, identified as 23-year-old Alexander Frank Baro from Pleasanton, California, had driven approximately 1,700 miles from California to Flower Mound and back within a 72-hour period. Baro took his own life as police attempted to arrest him at his residence in California.
The investigation revealed that Thane and the suspect likely knew each other through the online gaming community, possibly having a feud. Evidence suggested that the suspect set a propane tank on fire outside Thane's house to lure him outside. The motive behind the shooting has not been definitively named, but authorities believe it was not a random act.
Flower Mound Police Department and Pleasanton Police Department worked together on the case. Detectives obtained a search warrant for the suspect's home and found evidence connecting him to Thane's killing. The investigation is ongoing, and more information will be released as it becomes available.
The tragic incident has left the online gaming community in shock, as Thane was known by his gaming handle 'JPN' or 'Japan' and was an active player of Call of Duty. A GoFundMe campaign was launched to help Thane's family with funeral expenses, highlighting his positive impact on those who knew him.
The case underscores the importance of caution when interacting with others online, especially in the technology-driven world we live in today.
