Killeen, TX (April 8, 2026) UPDATE: Detectives with the Killeen Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division, Robbery-Homicide Unit, received a criminal complaint from the Bell County District Attorney’s Office charging Mario Ryan Christian with the murder of James Marquis Simmons.

Christian was arraigned by Bell County Judge Anthony Woolstrum, who set bond at $1,000,000. He also received two additional $100,000 bonds for Terroristic Threat charges stemming from an unrelated incident. Christian is currently being held in the Bell County Jail.

Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division’s Robbery-Homicide Unit continue to actively investigate this case.

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NEWS RELEASE: KILLEEN POLICE INVESTIGATING THE MURDER OF A 35-YEAR-OLD MALE

Killeen, TX (February 1, 2026): The Killeen Police Department is actively investigating a shooting that resulted in the death of James Marquis Simmons.

On Sunday, February 1, 2026, at approximately 3:59 a.m., officers were dispatched to Club Blu Print, located at 4505 E. Veterans Memorial Boulevard, in reference to a gunshot victim. Upon arrival, officers located a male in the parking lot suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. He was immediately airlifted to Carl R. Darnall Medical Center in critical condition.

The victim later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased by Gregory Johnson at 5:01 a.m.
The preliminary investigation revealed that the 9-1-1 caller reported hearing gunshots and then discovering the male in the parking lot with a gunshot wound. An unknown vehicle was observed leaving the scene.

Anyone with information related to this murder should contact the Bell County Crime Stoppers at 254-526-TIPS (8477) or submit a tip online at http://www.bellcountycrimestoppers.com.

The Killeen Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division, Robbery-Homicide Unit, is actively investigating this case. No additional information is available at this time.

Ofelia Miramontez
Public Affairs
Killeen Police Department