On October 14, 2023, 29-year-old Mackenzie Christopher Chastang was fatally shot in an apartment on Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene, Texas. The incident occurred around 7:03 a.m., when police responded to a report of an injured person and found Chastang with a gunshot wound to the chest; he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The events leading to the shooting involved a complex relationship dynamic.
According to court documents, both Chastang and 39-year-old Matthew Haynes were involved in on-and-off relationships with a woman who resided in the apartment. On the morning of the incident, Chastang had left the apartment to allow Haynes to collect his belongings. However, upon Chastang's return, he found Haynes still present, which led to a confrontation. The woman reported that as she let Chastang back into the apartment, Haynes stated he was going to shoot Chastang. Moments later, she heard two gunshots. Chastang, unarmed at the time, was critically injured and collapsed before succumbing to his injuries.
Matthew Haynes was arrested at the scene and charged with first-degree felony murder. He was booked into the Taylor County Jail with a bond set at $500,000. Subsequently, on November 2, 2023, a grand jury indicted Haynes on the murder charge. The investigation revealed that the altercation stemmed from the romantic relationships both men had with the woman, culminating in the fatal shooting.
Mackenzie Chastang was remembered for his love of soccer, camping, and his deep affection for his family, especially his son, Landon. Born on September 23, 1994, in Abilene, he attended Clovis High School in Clovis, New Mexico. His obituary highlighted his quickness to make friends and his dedication to being a father.
The tragic incident underscores the complexities and potential dangers inherent in volatile personal relationships. As the legal process continues, the community reflects on the loss of a young father and the circumstances that led to his untimely death.
