William Brantley, 32, was shot and killed in the late afternoon of Tuesday, August 19, 2025, in the parking lot of a business at 4020 Synott Road in west Houston. Patrol officers found him with multiple gunshot wounds; paramedics transported him to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead. Investigators say a physical altercation in the lot preceded the shooting, and that the other man produced a firearm, opened fire, then fled before first responders arrived.

Homicide detectives identified a suspect, 34-year-old Demarcus Johnson, within days. Police say Johnson was already in the Harris County Jail on unrelated charges when he was linked to Brantley’s death; he was charged with murder in the 185th State District Court and a booking photo was released after charges were filed on August 21. Public memorial notices identify the victim as William Charles Brantley, a Houston native and Stafford resident.

If anyone witnessed the confrontation in the parking lot or has information about what led to the shooting, please share what is known with investigators.