JEFFERSON COUNTY, Texas — As we wrap up 2023, 12News is breaking down the major crimes of the year.
In September a new Beaumont business found itself in the middle of controversy involving crowds and safety.
The Park On Calder was open less than a week when off-duty Beaumont police officers discovered 30-year-old Leroy Smith dead in a driveway on the property.
"It's extremely unfortunate I mean a life was taken to senseless violence. from what I was told by the police department that this was because of a robbery gone wrong," The Park On Calder's owner Deondre Moore previously told 12News.
Officers charged 21-year-old Augusta Simon with the murder of Smith after he and another man from Houston tried to make a run for it.
The shooting sparked months of back-and-forth about police protection and safety.
In March family and friends of 45-year-old Jenny Baxter were left heartbroken after Orange County investigators made a horrific discovery inside her Vidor home.
"Deputies found what appeared to be a body wrapped in plastic underneath the bed," Orange County Sheriff's Office Detective Colton Havard previously told 12News.
Officials charged her 38-year-old boyfriend Russell Kinney with the crime. They believe Baxter had been dead for several weeks, while Kinney was using her phone trying to convince her family she was okay.
"It's just extremely sad especially with what happened. Jenny was one of the sweetest and kindest people you'll ever want to meet," Bubba Ainsworth, a family friend of Baxter, previously said.
Also in March Beaumont police responded to another club shooting, this time in the parking lot of the DMoney Daiquiris Lounge on Phelan.
"Like when you go to or pass by a club or something you see more people outside than inside," a witness at the time said.
30-year-old Geraldo Escamilla, a patron at the club, was shot multiple times and died just up the street. Two Orange men were arrested and charged with his murder.
The shooting brought up conversations about bar safety.
"Some concerns are loitering in the parking. We want to know want we can do to prevent these situations," A.J. Turner said.
The bar shut down after the shooting.
In April Jasper and Kirbyville ISD students were being typical teenagers, attending a party after prom when someone started shooting.
"I'm lucky! I'm like really lucky and the people that got shot still are alive are lucky too," Madeline Collins previously said.
It took Jasper County sheriff deputies less than a week to identify the four suspects that left 11 teens wounded.
"This was not accidental, there have been lots going on for months between these two groups of young men. And not only in our county but in Newton County too and it finally came to a head over here," Jasper County Sheriff Newman previously told 12News.
The shooting shook Jasper County and brought law enforcement, parents and school administrators together vowing to work side by side to keep the peace and kids safe.