On May 8, 2023, 16-year-old Eugene Sonny "SoSo" Brownlow IV of Killeen, Texas, tragically lost his life in a shooting incident. Born on May 18, 2006, in Georgetown, Texas, Eugene was just days shy of his 17th birthday. The shooting occurred around 10 a.m. at the Star Mart Convenience Store located in the 3600 block of Zephyr Road. Upon arrival, Killeen police officers discovered shell casings in the parking lot, indicating a violent encounter.
Shortly thereafter, officers were dispatched to the 1600 block of Becker Drive, where they found three male victims suffering from gunshot wounds. All three were airlifted to different medical facilities; unfortunately, Eugene succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at 12:40 p.m.
In the days following the incident, the Killeen Police Department, in collaboration with the U.S. Marshals Lone Star Fugitive Task Force, identified and apprehended 19-year-old Donovan Lee Mann as the primary suspect in Eugene's death. Mann was arrested without incident on May 15, 2023, and charged with murder. He was subsequently booked into the Bell County Jail with a bond set at $1 million.
An arrest affidavit later revealed details of the events leading up to the shooting. Surveillance footage showed Eugene and two other individuals arriving at the convenience store in a white Nissan. Inside the store, one of the victims appeared to recognize Mann, prompting the group to quickly exit and return to their vehicle. Mann was then seen making a phone call and observing the car from inside the store. As the vehicle began to depart, Mann exited the store, produced a firearm, and fired multiple rounds at the car, discharging over 20 .40 caliber bullets. This brazen act in broad daylight resulted in Eugene's death and injuries to the other occupants.
Eugene's untimely passing was deeply mourned by the Killeen community. A funeral service was held on May 20, 2023, at Chisolm's Family Funeral Home in Killeen, with a private family interment following at a later date. The community's grief was palpable, as they came together to remember a young life cut tragically short.
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting continued, with authorities urging anyone with additional information to come forward. The incident marked the fourth murder in Killeen for the year 2023, highlighting ongoing concerns about gun violence in the area.
