Suspect Charged in Fatal Shooting of 90-Year-Old Houston Veteran

HOUSTON, TX — Kyliel Denzel Arceneaux, 21, has been charged with capital murder in connection with the fatal shooting of 90-year-old Navy veteran Nelson Beckett during a carjacking on August 31.

Arceneaux faces additional charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and tampering with evidence, according to the 487th State District Court.

We reported earlier that police responded to an armed assault at an independent living community around 12:45 p.m. on Saturday. Officers found Beckett suffering from gunshot wounds in the parking lot. He was transported to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Investigators revealed that Beckett was approached by Arceneaux while at his vehicle. Arceneaux allegedly assaulted Beckett, shot him, and stole his belongings before fleeing in the victim’s car. Beckett was struck by his own vehicle as Arceneaux left the scene. The stolen car was later found at an apartment complex on Dunlap Street.

Arceneaux was identified through a collaborative investigation involving Houston Police Department Homicide, South Gessner Patrol Division, and the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Criminal Intelligence Division. He was arrested on Tuesday, September 3, and booked into Harris County Jail.