Killeen Police Charge 20-Year-Old Male with Murder

Killeen, TX (November 4, 2025) – UPDATE: The Killeen Police Department has charged a 20-year-old male in connection with the murder of Gabriel Lee Garza.

The Killeen Police Department’s Robbery/Homicide Unit presented their investigation to the Bell County District Attorney’s Office for review. On October 30, 2025, two complaints were issued: one charging Quionne Smith (20) with Murder, and another charging Donald Kessee Jr. (18) with Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Robbery.

Smith was previously arrested on May 30, 2025, the day after the murder, on a Federal Arrest Warrant for Possession of an Unregistered Firearm and remains in custody at the Jack Harwell Detention Center in Waco.

Kessee Jr. was arrested shortly after the incident and is currently serving a sentence for an unrelated juvenile offense. Upon completion of his juvenile sentence, he will be served with the warrant for Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Robbery.

This investigation remains active, and no additional information is available at this time.

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NEWS RELEASE: KILLEEN POLICE INVESTIGATE A HOMICIDE ON CANTABRIAN DRIVE

Killeen, TX (May 29, 2025): The Killeen Police Department is actively investigating the death of a 19-year-old male following a shooting.

On Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at approximately 1:42 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 2900 block of Cantabrian Drive in reference to a shooting victim. Upon arrival, officers discovered a male victim suffering from a gunshot wound. Killeen Fire Department EMS responded and began life-saving measures. The victim was transported by ambulance to the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

The victim, Gabriel Lee Garza, was pronounced deceased at 6:29 a.m. by Justice of the Peace Nicola James. She ordered an autopsy to be performed at the Southwest Institute of Forensic Sciences in Dallas.
The preliminary investigation reveals that the victim met with two to three males outside a residence. Multiple shots were fired, and the victim was struck multiple times. It appears the victim and the suspects knew each other.

The Killeen Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division, Robbery-Homicide Unit, is actively investigating and there is no further information available at this time.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department