On May 30, 2024, 36-year-old African American male Lee Douglas, a father of five, was fatally shot while on a break during his overnight shift at the Refresco Beverages warehouse in Fort Worth, Texas. At approximately 2:30 a.m., as Douglas walked to his car, he was approached by 18-year-old Decan Medeiros, who shot him in the back. After Douglas fell, Medeiros shot him again in the face. Douglas was hospitalized but succumbed to his injuries on June 11, 2024.
Medeiros, a resident of Kettle Falls, Washington, had arrived at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport the evening before the shooting, reportedly on a layover with no known ties to North Texas. Following the shooting of Douglas, Medeiros entered the nearby ONCOR Distribution warehouse and fired at a forklift driver, who was unharmed. Medeiros was apprehended by police in Irving, Texas, and charged with murder and multiple counts of aggravated assault.
The motive behind the shooting remains unclear. Medeiros's family expressed shock, noting he had no history of violence or mental illness. Prior to the incident, Medeiros had exhibited erratic behavior at the Chattanooga airport, including being shirtless and incoherent, leading to concerns about his mental state.
In response to Douglas's death, his family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Refresco Beverages, alleging the company failed to provide adequate security measures, such as sufficient lighting and security personnel, in an area known for potential dangers. The lawsuit contends that this negligence contributed to the circumstances leading to Douglas's death.
