On September 14, 2024, Beaumont police responded to a welfare check in the 2200 block of Ives Street, where they discovered the body of 57-year-old Ronald Barnes inside his residence. Barnes, who shared the home with his twin brother, had sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the shoulder and neck, as confirmed by a preliminary autopsy report.
In the course of their investigation, detectives identified several persons of interest.
Romeo Johnson, 36, surrendered to authorities on September 15, 2024, on an unrelated parole violation and was subsequently interviewed regarding Barnes' death. Another individual, Jada Smith, 34, was arrested on unrelated warrants and also questioned by detectives. A third person of interest, Shanna King, was taken into custody on unrelated warrants and interviewed by investigators.
Further developments led to the arrest of Brandon Dodd, 39, on October 14, 2024. Both Dodd and Johnson were charged with first-degree murder in connection with Barnes' death. Probable cause affidavits revealed that community tips and surveillance footage implicated Johnson and Dodd in the homicide. Cell phone location data placed Johnson at the scene during the time of the murder. On December 11, 2024, a Jefferson County grand jury indicted both men for first-degree murder. They are currently held at the Jefferson County jail, each on an $850,000 bond.
The investigation into Ronald Barnes' death remains ongoing, with authorities continuing to gather evidence and encourage anyone with information to contact the Beaumont Police Department or Southeast Texas Crime Stoppers.
