Derrick FatBoi Armstrong, a 29-year-old African American male, was tragically killed on August 30, 2019, in Austin, Texas. The incident occurred in the early hours of the morning at Waller Creek Park near Sabine Street and West Sixth Street. Armstrong was found with multiple gunshot wounds and was transported to Dell Seaton hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
The events leading to Armstrong's death began when he bumped into a man identified as Ronnie Joe
Hardeman, a 19-year-old male. According to witnesses, the two men argued briefly before Hardeman left the scene. Hardeman returned a few minutes later, now wearing a black hoodie, and continued the argument with Armstrong. The confrontation escalated, and Hardeman allegedly pulled out a handgun and shot Armstrong six times in the chest. Hardeman then fled the scene, heading north toward the creek.
The Austin Police Department quickly identified Hardeman as the primary suspect in the shooting. Witnesses were able to confirm Hardeman's identity through a photo lineup that included images from his Facebook account. Hardeman was charged with murder and faced a $200,000 bond. He was eventually arrested by the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force in Killeen, Texas, after fleeing the Austin area. Hardeman was booked into the Travis County Jail, where he awaited trial for the murder of Derrick Armstrong.
The death of Derrick Armstrong left his family and friends devastated. His mother, Sharon Johnson, expressed her grief and the impact the tragedy had on their lives. She described Armstrong as a beloved individual with a heart of gold, respected by many. Johnson emphasized the importance of making better choices to prevent such senseless violence and urged the community to come together to stop gun violence.
The case of Derrick Armstrong's murder highlights the ongoing issue of gun violence in Austin and the need for continued efforts to address this problem. The investigation and subsequent arrest of Ronnie Joe Hardeman brought some measure of justice to Armstrong's family, but the pain of losing a loved one remains a stark reminder of the consequences of violent actions.
