On April 10, 2023, at approximately 2:15 a.m., Beaumont Police responded to a reported shooting in the 1800 block of Elgie Street in the South Park neighborhood. Upon arrival, officers discovered that a home invasion had occurred, during which gunfire was exchanged. Two male victims, 32-year-old Ahmad Hayden and 31-year-old Roven Dotson, both of Beaumont, sustained fatal injuries.
Hayden was pronounced dead at the scene, while Dotson was transported to a local hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Witnesses reported that several individuals were present in the residence when a group of unknown black males forcibly entered the home. During the invasion, an exchange of gunfire ensued between the assailants and individuals inside the residence. The suspects fled the scene before law enforcement arrived. Investigators have indicated that the incident was not random, suggesting that Hayden and Dotson were specifically targeted.
In the days following the incident, Beaumont Police identified and apprehended two suspects in connection with the double homicide. On April 12, 2023, 29-year-old Beaumont resident Dijon Ivory was arrested and charged with two counts of murder. His bond was set at $2 million. The following day, April 13, 2023, 30-year-old Beaumont resident Paul Edward Westbrooks Jr. was also arrested and charged with two counts of murder, with his bond set at $1.7 million.
Subsequent legal proceedings led to both Ivory and Westbrooks being indicted on charges of capital murder by terror threat/other felony. These charges stem from their alleged involvement in the fatal home invasion that resulted in the deaths of Hayden and Dotson. If convicted of capital murder, the defendants could face severe penalties, including life imprisonment without parole or the death penalty. However, as of July 2023, the Jefferson County District Attorney's Office filed notice of intent not to seek capital punishment for Westbrooks.
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the home invasion and subsequent shootings remains ongoing. Law enforcement officials continue to gather evidence and interview witnesses to piece together the events that led to the tragic deaths of Ahmad Hayden and Roven Dotson. Community members with any information related to the case are encouraged to contact the Beaumont Police Department or Crime Stoppers of Southeast Texas to assist in the pursuit of justice for the victims and their families.
