On the evening of March 20, 2023, at approximately 10 p.m., Amarillo police officers heard gunshots near the intersection of Southwest 2nd Avenue and South Tyler Street in downtown Amarillo, Texas. Upon arrival, they discovered 38-year-old Leroy "Boo" Wells Jr. deceased from an apparent gunshot wound.
Witnesses at the scene reported seeing a black SUV fleeing the area immediately after the shooting.
During the investigation, officers found empty cartridge casings and a key ring with identifiable items, including a gym membership and a Jeep key fob. The Jeep was registered to the girlfriend of 22-year-old Joseph Patrick Smith Jr. Officers located Smith and his girlfriend in a field near their apartment complex. Smith was in possession of a Glock 23 .40 caliber handgun, which he admitted to hiding in the field due to his status as a felon in California, prohibiting him from legally possessing a firearm.
During police interviews, Smith confessed to the shooting, claiming self-defense. He alleged that Wells had approached his vehicle, threatened to overturn it, and caused damage by punching the windshield and the passenger side. Smith stated that he feared for his life, prompting him to shoot Wells. Subsequent searches of Smith's apartment and the Jeep yielded additional evidence, including Glock .40 caliber magazines and burnt marijuana.
Following his arrest, Smith was charged with murder and booked into the Potter County Detention Center. On May 19, 2023, a Potter County grand jury indicted Smith for the murder of Leroy Wells. As of the latest available information, Smith remains in custody awaiting trial.
The death of Leroy Wells marked one of several homicides in Amarillo during 2023. Community members and law enforcement continue to seek justice for the victims and work towards reducing violence in the area.
