KAUFMAN COUNTY, Texas (TCN) — Officials are searching for a man who was scheduled for trial in connection with the shooting death of his neighbor, but he allegedly removed his ankle monitor and took off.
According to the Van Zandt Sheriff’s Office, Trevor McEuen was supposed to appear in court on May 5 on a murder charge out of Kaufman County. The Kaufman County Criminal District Attorney’s Office announced that McEuen removed his monitor at around 5:33 a.m. in violation of his bond conditions and left his home.
Investigators reportedly searched for McEuen just east of Grand Saline, but they cleared the vicinity and believe McEuen fled the area. Kaufman County Sheriff Bryan Beavers said they’re offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.
According to KTVT-TV, McEuen allegedly fatally shot Aaron Martinez in May 2023. Martinez had purportedly moved to Forney to launch a horse training ranch, but family members said his neighbor, McEuen, allegedly told the victim that Hispanics were not welcome.
Arrest documents reviewed by KTVT say McEuen admitted to killing Martinez. He was arrested and held on $2 million bond but later released.
KTVT reports that a jury indicted McEuen in November 2023 on a charge of capital murder, and authorities arrested him again, but he was released on $1 million bond. As part of his pre-trial release, a judge ordered that he couldn’t contact Martinez’s relatives. However, McEuen allegedly posted photos of Martinez and two of his relatives on his social media account and threatened to shoot one of the victim’s family members.
A judge increased McEuen’s bond to $2 million on Sept. 17, 2024, but he posted bond again.