Tragedy in Amarillo: 13-Year-Old Arrested in Fatal Shooting of 18-Year-Old Ethan DeLeon at Benton Park
Amarillo, TX — In a heartbreaking and deeply unsettling turn of events, a 13-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with the shooting death of 18-year-old Ethan DeLeon, a recent high school graduate, at Benton Park on the east side of Amarillo. The fatal incident occurred on [specific date if known], sending shockwaves through the community and raising serious concerns about youth violence, gun access, and the growing number of tragedies involving minors.
A Devastating Incident at a Neighborhood Park
According to the Amarillo Police Department, officers responded to a call of shots fired at Benton Park during the early evening hours. When they arrived, they found Ethan DeLeon suffering from a gunshot wound. Despite the best efforts of emergency personnel, DeLeon was pronounced dead at the scene.
Witnesses in the area reported hearing a confrontation before gunfire erupted. Within hours of the incident, Amarillo police had taken a 13-year-old male into custody. The juvenile suspect, whose identity has not been released due to his age, has been charged in connection with DeLeon’s death. Authorities have not yet confirmed a motive but indicated that the suspect and victim may have known each other.
Community in Shock and Mourning
News of Ethan DeLeon’s death has shaken the tight-knit east Amarillo community. Friends and family gathered at Benton Park in the days following the tragedy, leaving flowers, candles, handwritten notes, and balloons in Ethan’s memory. Loved ones describe him as a kind, respectful young man with a bright future and big dreams, recently celebrated for graduating and preparing to begin the next chapter of his life.
“Ethan was the kind of person who brought people together. He had so much love in his heart and always found a way to lift others up,” said one of his close friends during a vigil held in his honor. “To think his life was ended by someone so young—it’s just unbearable.”
A Crisis of Youth and Violence
The arrest of a 13-year-old in connection with such a violent crime has left many in the city asking urgent questions: How did a child so young come to possess a firearm? What led to the confrontation that ended in such a senseless death? And most critically, how can Amarillo and other communities prevent similar tragedies from occurring?
Amarillo Police Chief [Name, if known] expressed deep concern at a press briefing:
“This is a tragedy on multiple levels. An 18-year-old is gone far too soon, and a 13-year-old now faces the weight of a serious criminal charge. As a community, we have to look hard at what’s happening with our youth—how they’re getting access to guns, and what we can do to intervene earlier.”
Community and School Response
Local schools, including those where both the victim and suspect may have attended, have mobilized counselors and crisis teams to provide support for grieving students and staff. Organizations such as the Boys & Girls Club and local churches have also stepped up, hosting community forums and offering safe spaces for teens to talk about violence, peer pressure, and mental health.
Mayor [Name] and other city leaders have called for immediate community action, including tighter gun control measures and increased funding for youth programs and violence prevention initiatives.
Justice and Healing Ahead
As the investigation continues, the 13-year-old suspect remains in custody in a juvenile detention facility. Legal proceedings will be handled through the juvenile justice system, though prosecutors have not ruled out the possibility of trying the suspect as an adult—a decision that will depend on numerous factors including the nature of the crime and the suspect’s background.
Ethan’s family has asked for privacy during this devastating time, but has expressed hope that his death will serve as a wake-up call about the urgent need to address violence and neglect among local youth.
A memorial fund has been established in Ethan’s name to help cover funeral costs and support youth advocacy efforts in Amarillo. A public celebration of life will be held later this week at [location/time if known], where the community is invited to gather, grieve, and honor the memory of a young man whose life was taken far too soon.