On September 9, 2023, 30-year-old Leroy "Trey" Smith III of Beaumont, Texas, was fatally shot in an alley adjacent to The Park on Calder, a recently opened bar and restaurant located at 2325 Calder Avenue. The incident occurred shortly before 2 a.m., when off-duty Beaumont Police Department (BPD) officers working security at the establishment reported hearing gunshots. Upon investigation, they discovered Smith's body in the alley east of the venue.
Witnesses indicated that the suspects fled the scene in a black vehicle. Responding officers located the vehicle near the intersection of Calder Avenue and Interstate 10 North. The driver, identified as 39-year-old Horace Peterson of Houston, attempted to evade police but was apprehended after a brief pursuit. The passenger, 21-year-old Augusta Simon Jr., also from Houston, exited the vehicle and fled on foot but was quickly captured. Evidence, including a discarded handgun matching the caliber of shell casings found at the crime scene, was recovered, linking Simon to the murder.
During police interviews, Simon confessed to shooting Smith. He was subsequently charged with murder, tampering with evidence, evading arrest, and unlawfully carrying a weapon. His bond was set at $995,000. Peterson faced charges of evading arrest in a motor vehicle with a previous conviction, with his bond set at $50,000.
The Park on Calder had been open for less than a week at the time of the shooting. Owner Deondre Moore emphasized that the incident occurred outside the establishment and expressed condolences to those affected. He also highlighted the presence of security measures, including off-duty police officers and additional armed security personnel, aimed at ensuring the safety of patrons.
Leroy Smith III is survived by his children, parents, siblings, and girlfriend. Funeral services were held on September 23, 2023, at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Beaumont, followed by interment at Live Oak Memorial Park.
