Waco, TX – The Waco Police Department has charged 33-year-old Howard McCreary with murder in connection to the homicide of 44-year-old Randy Carpenter. McCreary is currently held at Bell County Jail on unrelated charges and is awaiting extradition to the McLennan County Jail.
The investigation into Carpenter’s death remains ongoing.
On February 22, 2025, Waco Police Officers responded to a call at the 2600 block of Grim Street at approximately 12:50 p.m. Officers found Randy Carpenter suffering from a gunshot wound. He was immediately transported to a local hospital, where he was listed in critical condition before being pronounced deceased on February 28.
Initially classified as an aggravated assault, the case was reclassified as a homicide following Carpenter’s death.
At the time of the incident, no suspect had been identified. The police department asked anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers at 254-753-HELP (4357) to submit an anonymous tip. Informants who provide information leading to an arrest could be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.
This is the second homicide investigation reported by Waco Police in 2025.
Authorities continue to seek any information from the public that could aid in the investigation.