Texas police have put up a $10,000 reward for anyone with information about who carjacked and then murdered a 90-year-old veteran outside his senior living community on August 31.
Nelson Beckett lived at the Lonestar Senior Living Apartments in Houston. On Saturday he got into his car when he was accosted by an unidentified man who then shot the Navy veteran. The attacker then stole Beckett’s belongings and his car and ran him down with his own vehicle.
The car was later discovered after the attacker ditched it at a different apartment complex three miles from the scene of the crime. Though Beckett was rushed to the hospital he was already dead.
Governor Greg Abbott said he and his wife were saddened and shocked to hear of the murder, and they are willing to pay ten grand to anyone who can bring Beckett’s killer to justice. Abbott said both state and local law enforcement were working to track the murderer down. He said the state will “always support” military service members, and with the public’s health, the attacker will be put in prison.
In addition to the Governor’s pledge, Crime Stoppers of Houston is offering $5,000, bringing the total to $15,000 for the person who can help police track the man down. He is described only as a black man between 25 and 30 years of age. Beckett was white.
Beckett’s daughter Tami Freund described her father as someone who “loved big” and cherished his family. “He would do anything for anyone,” she said.
Tim Beckett, Nelson’s son, said his death was “senseless and cruel.”
Others also described the slain man as generous, saying he drove people who did not have cars to their doctor’s appointments, for errands, and to church on Sundays. His heart was big enough to extend to panhandlers, whom friends say Beckett would sometimes take to church and baptize himself.
Nelson Beckett spent his youth in Oklahoma City where he met and married his wife of 55 years. The couple moved to Houston in the 1960s to raise their two children.
As of September 3, Houston police confirmed they have taken a “person” into custody for questioning in connection with the death, but have released no further details.
