Nacogdoches Police: Man killed in apparent home invasion

NACOGDOCHES, TX (KTRE) - A Nacogdoches man was killed during an apparent home invasion late Monday night, according to police.

Joey Donted Gipson was shot and killed while he was lying in his bed.

The 22-year-old's fiancé told East Texas News she was next to him when three men entered the couple's bedroom. In the next room was Gipson's mother, along with her son's two small children.

Joey Gipson was shot in the head, said Joey's fiancé, Sheena Pitts. The visibly shaken woman told family members the couple was lying asleep in the bed when suddenly someone turned the light on.

"She was still sleeping," said Pamela Brown, Pitts' sister. "When you have your eyes closed, you can see the light, and then her husband was pushing her down. He was shielding her. And then they told him to lay down, and when he laid down, they shot him."

At the time of the shooting Joey's mother was in a back bedroom with her son's two children, ages three and four.

"I heard a gunshot and when I went in there to see if it was a gunshot or just a firecracker or whatever," said Cheryl White. Joey Gipson's mother. It was my son. Somebody came in, into the backdoor, came in and shot him while he was in his bed. "

Nacogdoches Police stated during a confrontation with the suspects, the victim was shot once by one of the intruders. It happened all so quick. No one said they got a good look at the home invaders.

"His fiancé woke up and seen three guys running out their bedroom with the hoodies on, so she never got to see anybody's face," White said.

Arrest records show Joey Gipson had been arrested every month between February and June of last year. The most recent arrest was in December. All but one were drug related.

Gipson also had numerous past relationships.

"He got 11 kids. And one on the way," White said.

In response to a question, White added, "At 22."

Family members speculate on possible motives. The environment leads to beliefs of "trust no one." The concern is the search for the murderer could lead to more violence.

"Rest in peace my Joey," said Leishea Goodwin, Joey Gipson's aunt. "Your death will not be in vain because we're going to get to the bottom of this."

"Just please come forward and just tell the truth about what happened," White said.

More information will be released as it becomes available.
 
Anyone with information connected to this crime is asked to call Nacogdoches Crime Stoppers at (936) 560-INFO or visit ncstips.com to leave a tip.

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