KAUFMAN, TX – A Kaufman County jury has found Deaundre Bernard Walker, 26, guilty of murder in the February 2024 shooting death of Gabriel Diosdado Arteaga. Following a three-day trial in the 422nd District Court before Judge Shelton Gibbs, the jury returned a first-degree felony conviction.
During sentencing, Walker elected to have Judge Gibbs determine his punishment. The court considered Walker’s prior prison sentence in Florida for narcotics and firearm possession, along with emotional testimony from Arteaga’s family detailing the impact of his death. Arteaga, a devoted father and hardworking resident, was shot outside his home while leaving for work.
Judge Gibbs sentenced Walker to life in prison, telling him, “The reason that you are here is because of the choices that you made. You cannot move past this moment in life until you appreciate that you are the result of your own choices.”
The prosecution was led by Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Hillary Heisel, Marc Moffitt, and Robyn Beckham, with support from Investigator Wayne Watson and Paralegal Kristen Tucker. The Kaufman County District Attorney’s Office thanked the Forney Police Department, particularly lead investigator Jordan Bailey, for their work in bringing justice to the family.
Criminal District Attorney Erleigh Norville Wiley stated, “Every act of violence leaves devastation in its wake. Today’s sentence reflects the seriousness of this crime and reaffirms our commitment to holding offenders fully accountable for their choices.”
