On July 3, 2023, 18-year-old Paul Willis was tragically killed in a mass shooting in Fort Worth's Como neighborhood. The incident occurred around 11:47 p.m., when gunfire erupted during a large gathering following the annual ComoFest celebration. The shooting resulted in three fatalities—Paul Willis, 18-year-old Gabriella Navarrete, and 22-year-old Cynthia Santos—and injured eight others.
In the aftermath of the shooting, Fort Worth Police launched an intensive investigation, reviewing surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses. On July 7, 2023, authorities arrested two suspects: 19-year-old Brandon Williams and 20-year-old Christopher Redic. Both were charged with murder in connection to the incident. According to police, the shooting was preceded by an altercation and is believed to be gang-related.
During police interviews, both Williams and Redic admitted to firing their weapons toward the crowd but claimed they did not intend to hit anyone. Williams stated that he had previous conflicts with an individual named "JoJo," who had threatened him in the past. He admitted to being the first to shoot, aiming in JoJo's direction after a physical altercation. Redic also confessed to firing his gun but claimed he aimed above the crowd, believing he would not hit anyone.
The tragic death of Paul Willis and the others has deeply affected the Fort Worth community, prompting discussions on gun violence and the need for enhanced safety measures during public events. Community leaders and residents have called for changes to future gatherings to prevent such incidents from recurring.
