Austin Lee Deweerdt

Austin Lee Deweerdt, a 33-year-old white male from Tyler, Texas, was a 2008 graduate of Whitehouse High School. His life was cut short during a violent confrontation on Memorial Day, May 30, 2022. The incident took place at his home in the 800 block of Pinedale Place and was witnessed by his six-year-old son.

That day, Christopher Ryan Henry of Flint, Texas, was in the driveway of Deweerdt’s home with Deweerdt’s girlfriend when Deweerdt arrived and pulled his truck in behind Henry’s car. According to court records, Deweerdt got out of his vehicle and began to verbally confront Henry. The argument quickly turned physical, with Deweerdt pushing Henry to the ground before the two men began wrestling. Deweerdt’s girlfriend separated them.

After being separated, Henry pulled out a handgun and threatened to shoot Deweerdt. In response, Deweerdt retrieved his own handgun from his truck but then returned it to the vehicle without using it. As Henry continued to threaten him, the two men began to wrestle for a second time. Deweerdt’s girlfriend again broke up the fight. It was then that Henry shot Deweerdt several times. Emergency responders took Deweerdt to a local hospital for emergency surgery, but he was later pronounced dead.

Tyler police detectives and crime scene investigators responded to the scene and launched a homicide investigation. On June 3, 2022, authorities arrested Christopher Ryan Henry and booked him into the Smith County Jail on a charge of murder.

In June 2024, Henry, then 32, accepted a plea deal. He pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of manslaughter in Judge Taylor B. Heaton’s court. According to the Smith County Assistant District Attorney, the plea agreement was considered the most just result that could be achieved for the victim based on the evidence. Henry’s defense attorney stated that while they had evidence to present to a jury, his client chose to accept the resolution. He was sentenced to and began serving a 12-year term in state prison.