On June 2, 2024, at about 6:35 p.m. Houston police found Richard Nugent, 38, lying unresponsive on the sidewalk near the Buffalo Bayou Trail at 699 Franklin Street with multiple gunshot wounds to the head. Officers also discovered RJ Lewis, 66, unresponsive with gunshot wounds on a stairwell leading up to Congress and Smith Streets; both were pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators initially had no motive or suspect. Surveillance photos released June 20 and a community tip identified Bruce Butler, 37, who was arrested June 24. Court documents state Butler confessed, saying he targeted Nugent and Lewis while they slept on the walking path and shot each twice in the head. He reportedly described the firearm as dirty, said he sold it to an unknown homeless person, and told officers he believed he was sent by Yahweh to kill “heathens” and intended to continue attacking homeless people, naming The Beacon area as a potential location.

Butler was homeless at arrest and has prior arrests for car burglary and assault causing bodily injury; his defense plans to seek a mental evaluation. These killings have intensified concern about the vulnerability of people without shelter in Houston. If anyone knew Richard Nugent or has information about these shootings, please come forward.