A tragic and shocking incident in Fort Worth earlier this month left a 19-year-old facing murder charges after his uncle was killed in what police described as a targeted shooting. The two were riding in the same car at the time of the deadly encounter.
Derrick Sanders Jr., 19, has been charged with felony murder for the death of his 40-year-old uncle, Christopher Sanders Sr. The shooting happened on the afternoon of December 1, near Western Center Boulevard and Mark IV Parkway.
According to the Fort Worth Police Department, Derrick and Christopher were in a blue Dodge Charger with four other people. The group appeared to be following a black Chrysler 300 that had just left an apartment complex in the area. Christopher was seated in the front passenger seat, while Derrick was in the back on the driver’s side.
As the Dodge trailed the Chrysler, both Derrick and Christopher began firing shots at the other car. A little while later, police were called to the Garden Gate apartment complex on North Beach Street, where they found Christopher dead inside the Dodge.
Detectives reviewed surveillance footage from the beginning of the incident. The video showed Derrick leaning out of the rear driver’s side window, firing shots toward the Chrysler. However, investigators discovered that some of Derrick’s bullets struck the roof of the Dodge at a downward angle. Tragically, one of those bullets hit Christopher in the head, killing him.
Police believe the shooting was planned. Everyone in the Dodge was wearing gloves, and the car’s license plates had been covered with fake paper tags. Authorities said this indicated the group intended to carry out the attack.
Derrick now faces a felony murder charge for his uncle’s death, which occurred while he was committing the crime of shooting at an occupied vehicle. As of now, police have not identified anyone else who was in the Dodge that day or announced if additional charges will be filed.
This incident is a grim reminder of how dangerous and tragic violence can be, especially when it spirals out of control. The investigation into this case is ongoing.
