On February 4, 2023, the Bowie County Sheriff's Office responded to a shooting incident on County Road 4252 in DeKalb, Texas. Upon arrival, deputies discovered 44-year-old Demond Monta Easter had sustained multiple gunshot wounds at his residence. Emergency medical services transported Easter to St. Michael's Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. Subsequently, his body was sent to the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences in Dallas for an autopsy.
Investigations revealed that an argument had erupted at Easter's home, during which he was fatally shot. Authorities identified 38-year-old DeKalb resident, Derrelexis Dewayne Betts, as the shooter. Betts was arrested and charged with murder, then booked into the Bi-State Jail. At the time of the reports, his bond had not been set.
Easter's death was a significant loss to his family and community. Born on October 9, 1978, in New Boston, Texas, he was employed with Brookshire’s Warehouse in Tyler, Texas. He had recently returned home to reunite with his family after spending many years away. Easter is survived by his fiancée, children, parents, siblings, and grandchildren. Funeral services were held on February 18, 2023, at Bates Family Funeral Home in DeKalb.
