BEAUMONT, Texas — The Beaumont Police Department is investigating a shooting that happened Monday in the 1500 block of Corley.
Police say that so far the investigation shows that the shooting stemmed from an argument between two people.
According to a next-door neighbor who wished to remain anonymous, an argument had broken out at the home while it was hosting a birthday party.
She says that briefly after the argument she heard shots being fired. After the shooting, the neighbor says she heard a woman begin to scream 'it was my birthday'.
"Next thing I knew, they had police all over. Then I heard that girl screaming 'this is the worst birthday' she was about 18-years-old," said the neighbor.
After police arrived, a man met them in the street, immediately put his hands behind his back, and was taken into custody by police.
Neighbors say that this is nothing new in the neighborhood, they describe a light police presence while crime happens daily seemingly unchecked.
"Where is the law? For us, where is the law? There ain't no law around here," said the neighbor. "The law doesn't come around here unless something goes wrong, like this, someone getting killed. It's not fair."
Long time residents are frustrated by the seeming degradation of the neighborhood, describing it as "the wild west." They feel like they have been forgotten about.
"I've lived here since I was a little girl, now me and my husband live here, and to have to live through something like this, this is ridiculous," said the neighbor.
She believes that the city of Beaumont can do more to help neighborhoods like theirs.
"My mayor, I voted him in and I haven't seen anything that he has done for us.
The suspect is cooperating with the investigation, according to police.
The victim, 20-year-old Kelon King, was taken to St. Elizabeth Hospital where he later died from his wounds.
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
