Killeen police are investigating the fatal shooting of 35‑year‑old James Marquis Simmons, who was gunned down outside Club Blu Print on East Veterans Memorial Boulevard in the early hours of Sunday, February 1, 2026. Simmons was airlifted to Carl R. Darnall Medical Center but was pronounced dead at 5:01 a.m., and authorities are now seeking information about a vehicle seen leaving the scene.
The incident unfolded just before dawn when officers were dispatched at approximately 3:59 a.m. to Club Blu Print, located at 4505 East Veterans Memorial Boulevard. The call came after a 9‑1‑1 report of gunshots in the area, and upon arrival, police discovered Simmons lying in the parking lot with a gunshot wound. Witnesses described hearing multiple shots before finding the victim, and the chaotic scene quickly drew emergency responders.
Simmons was immediately airlifted in critical condition to Carl R. Darnall Medical Center, the nearest trauma facility serving Fort Hood and the Killeen area. Despite rapid medical intervention, he succumbed to his injuries less than an hour later. Gregory Johnson, a justice of the peace, formally pronounced him dead at 5:01 a.m., marking the tragic end of a violent encounter that has left investigators searching for answers.
Preliminary findings indicate that an unknown vehicle was seen leaving the area around the time of the shooting. Detectives with the Killeen Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division, Robbery‑Homicide Unit, are working to determine whether the vehicle was connected to the crime or simply passing through. The lack of immediate suspects has heightened the importance of community cooperation, with police urging anyone who may have seen or heard something to come forward.
The nightclub, situated along one of Killeen’s busiest corridors, has been the site of previous disturbances, though police have not confirmed whether the shooting was linked to any ongoing disputes. Residents in the area expressed concern about rising violence near nightlife venues, noting that the incident occurred in a part of the city frequented by both locals and soldiers stationed at nearby Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood). The shooting has reignited conversations about public safety and the need for increased patrols in high‑traffic entertainment districts.
As the investigation continues, authorities have asked the public to submit tips through Bell County Crime Stoppers, where callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward. Detectives are reviewing surveillance footage from nearby businesses and interviewing witnesses in hopes of piecing together the sequence of events that led to Simmons’ death. For now, the parking lot of Club Blu Print stands as the site of a tragedy that underscores the unpredictable nature of violence in community spaces.