On the evening of December 13, 2025, officers from the Lavon Police Department responded to reports of a shooting at a residence in the 700 block of Wellington Drive in Lavon, Texas. The incident occurred during a small "pop-up" gathering where Romeo English, a 24-year-old man from Rowlett, became involved in a verbal altercation with a juvenile. Witnesses reported that the argument escalated into a physical fight, which was initially broken up by residents of the home. However, as English was preparing to leave the premises shortly after the dispute, the suspect reportedly brandished a firearm and shot him multiple times at close range before fleeing the scene on foot. English was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
Authorities quickly identified the suspect as a 14-year-old male student from Community Trails Middle School who had been absent from classes since mid-November. Due to his status as a minor, his name has been withheld by law enforcement, though officials described the shooting as a targeted and isolated act. Following the incident, the teenager evaded capture for two days, prompting a multi-agency search that extended into surrounding areas. The suspect was ultimately located and taken into custody without incident in Dallas on the evening of Monday, December 15, 2025.
The 14-year-old has since been charged with murder and remains in the juvenile justice system. Law enforcement officials have indicated that while the shooter acted alone in the killing, they are investigating whether other individuals may have aided him during his time on the run. The tragedy has left the victim’s family grieving the loss of an expectant father; English’s girlfriend revealed that the couple was preparing to welcome a son. The investigation remains active as detectives continue to process evidence, including the recovery of the weapon believed to have been used in the crime.
