Suspect in fatal Temple shooting released after Bell County DA’s Office deferred case, requests more information

TEMPLE, Texas (KWTX) - The suspect in a fatal Wednesday night shooting in Temple has been released from custody after the Bell County District Attorney’s Office announced it has deferred the case and asked for more information from investigators.

David Tate, 52, was arrested earlier on Friday and charged with murder in the fatal Wednesday night shooting of 54-year-old Vernon Johnson. He was released from custody after the DA’s office announced it was deferring the case.

On Oct. 9, at around 7:20 p.m., police officers were sent to the 700 block of Luna Lane to investigate reports of a shooting.

When officers arrived on the scene, they found one person suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

Following an investigation, police say the victim, Vernon Johnson, 54, went into his neighbor’s backyard and got into an argument with Tate.

Authorities say at some point during the argument Tate shot Johnson multiple times.

The 54-year-old Johnson was taken to the hospital in critical condition and was later pronounced dead, according to police.

Anyone with information is asked to call Temple police at 254-298-5500 or the Bell County Crime Stoppers at 254-526-8477.