Salathiel Andre Witherspoon Jr., a 47-year-old man, was shot and killed on April 17, 2025, in downtown Killeen. The fatal shooting happened about 7:30 p.m. on the 600 block of Gray Street while Witherspoon Jr. attended a gathering at a residence. Investigators say 27-year-old Jermaine Justin Attaway arrived, tried to force his way inside by kicking the front door, and allegedly fired a gun through the door after Witherspoon Jr. tried to hold it shut.

Emergency responders began life-saving measures at the scene and transported Witherspoon Jr. to Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 8:20 p.m. A criminal complaint charging Attaway with murder was returned to the Bell County District Attorney’s Office; he was arraigned and held without bond in the Bell County Jail.

Witherspoon Jr. was born October 17, 1977, in Detroit and attended Killeen High School. He is survived by his parents, Salathiel and Addie Witherspoon, his children Di'Jon Witherspoon and Christopher Thomas, and his sisters Karena Lamia Hicks and Marva Gatewood. Does anyone who knew Salathiel or was in that neighborhood the evening of April 17 have information to share?