ARLINGTON, Texas – Mekel Gaston, 29, was arrested by the Arlington Police Department on May 16, 2025, in connection to the April 2020 murder of Eugene Johnson, who was fatally shot during a robbery attempt at an apartment complex in the 800 block of N. Oak Street.
Murder and Investigation Details
The incident occurred on April 28, 2020, when police responded to a report of a man lying unresponsive in a parking lot. Upon arrival, officers discovered Eugene Johnson, 31, had been shot and died at the scene. Investigators initially determined Johnson had arrived at the apartment complex to meet a woman he had been texting with, but instead, an armed man approached him, demanding money.
As the two men fought, the suspect shot Johnson. The investigation later revealed that other armed robberies with similar circumstances had been reported at the same complex, prompting detectives to believe the incidents were connected.
Breakthrough in the Case
Earlier this year, a key witness came forward, providing new information linking Mekel Gaston to both the shooting and similar robberies in the area. Using this information, detectives compared video footage from the scene of the shooting to another incident where Gaston was confirmed to be involved.
Investigators believe Gaston posed as a woman online to lure Johnson to the scene with the intent of robbing him.
Arrest and Charges
On May 16, 2025, the U.S. Marshals North Texas Fugitive Task Force located Gaston in Arlington and took him into custody without incident. He was booked into the Tarrant County Jail, where he faces capital murder charges and a bond set at $1 million. He is also facing a $1,500 bond for a charge of assault causing bodily injury family violence.
Police Response
“Thanks to the outstanding efforts of our detectives, a dangerous and violent criminal is off our streets,” said Chief of Police Al Jones. “This was a situation where good police work was done during the initial investigation, but detectives needed that last bit of additional evidence to file charges. I’m extremely proud of them for continuing to pursue leads until they got the information they needed.”
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are continuing to work on linking Gaston to other potential crimes.
