Arrest made in murder of James Marquis Simmons outside Killeen nightclub

KILLEEN, Texas (KWTX) — UPDATE: Killeen Police Department detectives arrested Mario Ryan Christian, 36, in the murder of James Marquis Simmons.

Christian was arraigned by Bell County Judge Anthony Woolstrum, who set bond at $1 million for the murder charge.

He also received two additional $100,000 bonds for Terroristic Threat charges stemming from an unrelated incident.

Christian is currently being held in the Bell County Jail.

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A man was shot and killed outside a Killeen nightclub early Sunday morning.

Officers were called to Club Blu Print at 4505 E. Veterans Memorial Boulevard around 3:59 a.m. after someone reported hearing gunshots, according to the Killeen Police Department. When they arrived, officers found the victim, James Marquis Simmons in the parking lot with a gunshot wound.

Simmons was airlifted to Carl R. Darnall Medical Center in critical condition but died from his injuries, officials confirmed.

The person who called 911 told police they heard gunshots and then found Simmons in the parking lot. An unknown vehicle was seen leaving the scene.

Killeen police detectives are investigating the shooting as a murder. No additional information is available at this time.

Anyone with information should contact Bell County Crime Stoppers at 254-526-8477 or submit a tip online at bellcountycrimestoppers.com.