Beaumont police have arrested a teen and seek two fugitives after a fatal shooting linked to a robbery.
BEAUMONT, Texas — Beaumont police have arrested a 17-year-old and are searching for two additional juvenile suspects in connection with a fatal shooting last Friday that investigators say stemmed from an aggravated robbery.
Brenden Earnest, 17, has been arrested and charged with aggravated robbery in the death of a 17-year-old teen who was shot just before 1230 p.m. on Feb. 20, 2026, behind the Family Dollar store near the intersection of Avenue B and Harriot St. Earnest is being held at the Jefferson County Correctional Facility on a $1 million bond for the aggravated robbery charge and a $10,000 bond on a charge of unlawfully carrying a weapon, according to a jailer at the facility.
Officers arrived to find the teen suffering from a gunshot wound and initiated life-saving measures, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Beaumont Police detectives have obtained aggravated robbery warrants for two additional juvenile suspects, ages 16 and 15, who remain at large. Both the Beaumont Police Department and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office are actively searching for both.
“The investigation has revealed, through witness accounts and corroborating video footage, that the homicide resulted from an aggravated robbery,” according to the Beaumont Police Department.
A 19-year-old man previously identified as a person of interest has voluntarily surrendered and is cooperating with investigators. Police say all subjects involved in the homicide have now been identified, and they are no longer seeking public assistance in identifying suspects.
The case is being worked in conjunction with the Jefferson County District Attorney’s office. Once the investigation is complete, it will be submitted to that office for review by a grand jury.
Police thanked the community for its assistance and continued support throughout the investigation. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the Beaumont Police Department at (409) 832-1234 or Southeast Texas Crime Stoppers at (409) 833-8477. Tips may be submitted anonymously.
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
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