MURDER
CASE #: 1976-11
Joe Doyle Burns
Status:
Open
Date of Offense:
Date of Offense:
Jurisdiction:
Offense Location:
Killeen, Texas
Summary:
On April 9, 1976, at approximately 12:03 AM, Joe Doyle Burns, a 30-year-old U.S. Army corporal stationed at Fort Hood, was shot and killed inside a trailer at 101 N. College Street, Lot #1, in Killeen, Texas. Burns was with 2 acquaintances playing cards when a man knocked on the door, claimed to be “the police,” and then fired a single shot through the door, striking Burns in the chest. He was pronounced dead at 12:35 AM.
Vital Statistics
Circumstances of Offense:
On the night of April 8, 1976, Joe Doyle Burns was inside a trailer at 101 N. College Street, Lot #1 (Donna Trailer Park), with two acquaintances. The three were playing cards with the lights off, a common evening activity for them. Around 11:45 PM, someone knocked on the door and announced, "Police." Burns responded, “We don’t know any police,” to which the voice replied, “You ought to,” and then a single gunshot was fired through the upper window of the front door. The bullet struck Burns in the chest, passed through his body, and embedded into the north wall of the trailer. Neither witness saw the shooter, and both dropped to the floor immediately after the shot. One of the witnesses attempted to assist Burns, but when unable to move him, drove to the Killeen Police Department to report the shooting. Burns was pronounced dead at 12:35 AM by Justice of the Peace Jerry Scarbrough. Autopsy results confirmed that the bullet had torn through Burns’ heart and lungs, causing almost immediate death. Witness statements and physical evidence suggested a .38 caliber revolver was used. An additional witness told investigators that a male confessed to shooting a “white pimp” during an argument about money. This witness reported that the suspect impersonated a police officer to lure the victim to the door, then fired through it. He fled alone in a blue 1973 Chevrolet Nova with New York plates. The circumstances indicate a planned, targeted killing, possibly related to disputes within Killeen’s prostitution scene, with the suspect using deception to gain proximity to the victim.
Case Last Updated:
Timeline of Events
Elmer Powell reports the shooting at Killeen PD. Officers are dispatched.
A knock at the door is heard. Voice: “Police” Curry: “Who is it?” Burns: “We don’t know any police.” Voice: “You ought to.” A single gunshot is fired through the upper window of the front door. Burns is struck in the right chest, falls to the floor.
Ruby returns to the trailer, locks the door, and resumes sitting on the couch. Burns and Powell are playing cards at the table. Curry reads a book.
Powell's spouse and Joe Burns drive to the store and return. Shortly after, Curry borrows Burns’ truck to take the female acquaintance back downtown.
Joe Doyle Burns arrives at the trailer. Burns and Powell begin drinking beer and playing cards. A female acquaintance visits the trailer briefly to retrieve her glasses.
A man known as “PeeWee” visits Elmer Powell’s trailer at 101 N. College Street, Lot #1. He stays until after The Waltons TV show ends.
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