On May 12, 2024, at approximately 12:35 a.m., Wichita Falls Police Department officers responded to a welfare check in the 1400 block of New Haven Road. Upon arrival, they found 31-year-old Deron Edward Royster Jr. with a severe injury to his left eye. Royster was unable to communicate the cause of his injury, and individuals present at the scene were uncooperative.
He was initially transported to United Regional Hospital and later transferred to John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, where medical examinations revealed a projectile lodged in his brain. Despite medical efforts, Royster succumbed to his injuries on May 14, 2024.
Investigations revealed that prior to the incident, Royster had been at his sister's residence but was asked to leave due to aggressive behavior, possibly influenced by substance use. After leaving, he was observed at the intersection of Parkdale and New Haven, engaging in a heated exchange with an individual in a black vehicle. Witnesses later identified this individual as 33-year-old Darren Jerome King. The confrontation escalated when King allegedly shot Royster in the face with a pellet rifle before fleeing the scene.
Authorities apprehended King on May 23, 2024, after a brief foot pursuit in the Sunnyside neighborhood of Wichita Falls. He was found hiding in a chicken coop and was subsequently charged with murder in connection to Royster's death. King's criminal history includes previous arrests for aggravated robbery, assault, parole violations, and evading arrest, dating back to 2007. At the time of his arrest for Royster's murder, his bond was set at $750,000.
The tragic death of Deron Royster marked the fourth homicide in Wichita Falls for the year 2024. The case drew significant attention from both law enforcement and the community, highlighting concerns over violent crime in the area. Wichita Falls Crime Stoppers offered a reward for information leading to an arrest in the case, emphasizing the community's commitment to seeking justice for Royster and his family.
