Dequalin Vaughn

On the morning of September 13, 2024, police in Longview, Texas, responded to reports of a shooting in the 3100 block of McCann Road. At approximately 10:15 a.m., officers arrived to find Dequalin Vaughn, a 20-year-old Black man from Longview, with a gunshot wound. Emergency medical services transported him to a local hospital, but he later died from his injuries.

Following an investigation into the shooting, detectives with the Longview Police Department identified Eddie Floyd Hill Jr., then 23, of Gilmer, Texas, as a suspect. Investigators learned that Hill was also wanted on separate felony charges from a case in Marshall, Texas. Authorities located Hill in Gilmer and took him into custody without incident. He was booked into the Upshur County Jail. The Longview Police Department credited the Marshall Police Department, Harrison County Violent Crime Task Force, Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Gilmer Police Department for their assistance in the apprehension.

Hill was charged with murder in connection with Dequalin Vaughn's death, as well as unlawful possession of a firearm and deadly conduct. The case was set to go to a jury trial, but it was delayed by a development in the spring of 2026. In April of that year, 124th District Judge Alfonso Charles met privately with Hill and his defense lawyer and determined their relationship was “irreparably broken.” The judge permitted the attorney to withdraw from the case.

In the days after his death, Dequalin’s family and friends gathered to say goodbye. A visitation was held on September 20, 2024, at Stanmore Funeral Home, and his funeral service took place the following day at Miracle Tabernacle Prayer & Praise Cathedral of Longview. He was laid to rest at Jordan Valley Cemetery.

As of April 2026, court proceedings were on hold while a new court-appointed attorney was being assigned to represent Eddie Floyd Hill Jr. for his upcoming trial.