Beckham arrested on suspicion of murderingLindenman

Malaki Beckham, 19, of New Boston has been arrested on suspicion of murdering Princeton Washington, 19, of Linden and wounding Nicholas Webster, 19, of Jefferson.

According to a press release from the New Boston Police Department, “On July 6, 2024, at approximately 5:42 pm New Boston Police Department responded to a shooting call in the 300 block of N. Linsey St. Upon arrival, officers located two victims who were shot. The victims were identified as Nicholas Webster, 19, of Jefferson, Texas who was transported to the hospital and remains hospitalized in critical condition, the second victim Princeton Washington, 19, of Linden, Texas was pronounced deceased at the scene.

“After an intensive investigation, the shooter was identified as 19-year-old Malaki Beckham of New Boston. Based on evidence and witness information obtained in the investigation New Boston Police obtained an arrest for Malaki on July 7, 2024, who was seen fleeing the scene in the victim’s vehicle.

“After an intensive manhunt, Malaki was located in Clarksville, Texas on July 11, 2024. New Boston Police with the assistance of the Bowie County Sheriff ’s Department, Bowie County District Attorney’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety, U.S. Marshall’s Task Force, Homeland Security Investigators, NE Texas Auto Theft Task Force, and the Red River County Sheriff ’s Department Malaki was taken into custody without incident and transport to the Red River County Jail.”

Kenny Mitchell of the New Boston Tribune noted in his last week’s article that investigators were on the trail to catch the suspect but had not yet caught him.

While investigators were on scene at the apartments, an NBPD officer located the victim’s car outside a house less than two miles away in the 100 block of Peggy Street in New Boston. The house was listed on Beckham’s driver’s license as his last known residence; however, it was unoccupied and listed for sale at the time of the incident.

Police were told Beckham was hiding inside the house, authorities said. The Texas DPS Special Response Team was deployed to gain entry into the house with the assistance of SRT tactical vehicles from Tyler and Garland.

In the early morning hours of Sunday, the team began clearing the house. The house and surrounding area were cleared at approximately 3:30 a.m., assisted by the DKPD K-9, with no sign of Beckham.

Police did remove a cell phone from the vehicle and entered into evidence but have not disclosed whether it belonged to one of the victims or suspects. Beckham was still on the run as of press time last week.

According to an earlier report from Mitchell the suspect had previous legal troubles Beckham was arrested in 2022 for the armed robbery of the Paradise Quick Stop convenience store on McCoy Boulevard, and for using a stolen credit card.

In February of 2022, Beckham entered the convenience store carrying a pink backpack and wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and face mask. After walking around the store for a few minutes, Beckham approached the clerk and produced a handgun demanding the money in the register.

Beckham fled the store with $80 cash and 53 vape cartridges. He was arrested the day after the robbery on the unrelated charge of credit card theft.

He stole his grandmother’s credit card and charged more than $500 worth of dog kennel materials at Tractor Supply.

He was released the following day on a personal recognizance bond, but arrested again the following day after evidence and interviews pointed to Beckham as the assailant in the armed robbery.

During the investigation of the robbery, it was determined the gun Beckham used was a BB pistol.

Due to the nature of the crime and his age, Beckham was charged as an adult.

He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two years in a Texas state jail for both crimes. Beckham was released from custody on probation in June 2023 and was ordered to complete five years of community service.

His probation was revoked, and a warrant was issued for his arrest in January based on an affidavit from his probation officer, according to court records.

Now that Beckham has been caught the Journal-Sun will be investigating a motive.