12-year-old charged with capital murder in shooting of Texas boxer

UVALDE, Texas — Police say a 12-year-old boy has been charged with capital murder in the fatal shooting of a boxer at the victim's South Texas home.

Uvalde police said Thursday, Jan. 24 the boy was charged in the slaying of John Duane VanMeter and was being held at a juvenile detention center.



VanMeter's girlfriend called 911 Wednesday evening, Jan. 23, saying someone had broken into their home, and police found the man with a gunshot wound to the head.

Police Chief Daniel Rodriquez said police were trying to determine a motive.



VanMeter's trainer, David Hernandez, who runs Tree City Boxing Club in Uvalde, described VanMeter as a man with a "heart of gold and an amazing spirit." He was known as "The California Kid."

The Uvalde school district said the juvenile was a student there.