12-year-old boy facing homicide charges for shooting Professional Boxer After Breaking Into His Home.

5years ago

Uvalde news, Texas news.

A 12-year-old Texas boy was arrested and charged with manslaughter on Thursday after shooting a professional boxer to death after breaking into his home in Uvalde, Texas.

The victim, 24-year-old John Duane VanMeter, was shot in his home Wednesday night, according to a statement from the Uvalde Police Department.

VanMeter's girlfriend, Sammy Chapa, called police at about 7:55 p.m. to report someone had broken into her home in the 600 block of Boone Street and shot her boyfriend.

When police arrived, officers found VanMeter lying in the living room with a gunshot wound to the head. He was treated on the scene and transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Witnesses said that a male subject was seen running from the residence in all black clothing with a black bandana across the lower part of his face. Police did not say how they connected the 12-year-old to the shooting.

Ortiz Boxing Gym, a local boxing arena, posted their condolences to VanMeter's family and a video him sparring with a young athlete.

"[Our] deepest condolences go out to the VanMeter family," the Facebook post said. "We lost not only a great boxer but also a great friend always willing to help out upcoming fighters Rest Easy Champ."

VanMeter, originally from California, had been boxing since he was 10 and began his professional career in 2015.

The 12-year-old is being held at a juvenile detention center on capital murder charges.