Suspect arrested at a motel
Abilene police have arrested a man for the murder of a 19-year-old woman who was shot and killed on Monday night. The suspect, identified as 28-year-old Joshua Henry, was taken into custody at a motel on South First Street on Tuesday morning.
According to the police, Henry was involved in a domestic dispute with the victim, Destiny Pemelton, at a residence on South 14th Street. The argument escalated and Henry allegedly shot Pemelton multiple times before fleeing the scene. Pemelton was transported to a hospital where she later died from her injuries.
Henry was located by the police at the motel after they received a tip from an anonymous caller. He was arrested without incident and booked into the Taylor County Jail on a charge of first-degree murder. His bond has not been set yet.
Victim remembered as a loving person
Pemelton’s family and friends are mourning her loss and remembering her as a loving and caring person who had a bright future ahead of her. Pemelton was a graduate of Abilene High School and was studying at Cisco College. She had plans to become a nurse and help others.
Pemelton’s mother, Tiffany Pemelton, said her daughter was always smiling and had a positive attitude. She said she was proud of her daughter’s achievements and aspirations. She also said she had warned her daughter about Henry, who she described as abusive and controlling.
“I told her to leave him alone, that he was no good for her,” Tiffany Pemelton said. “But she loved him and she wanted to help him. She thought he would change.”
Tiffany Pemelton said she hopes Henry will face justice for what he did to her daughter. She also said she wants to raise awareness about domestic violence and encourage other victims to seek help.
“Don’t stay silent, don’t be afraid, don’t let anyone hurt you,” she said. “You deserve better, you deserve to live.”
Community offers support and condolences
The Abilene community has also expressed its support and condolences to Pemelton’s family and friends. A vigil was held on Tuesday night at the Abilene High School football field, where hundreds of people gathered to light candles, release balloons and share memories of Pemelton.
A GoFundMe page has also been set up by Pemelton’s cousin, Ashley Pemelton, to help cover the funeral expenses and other costs. The page has raised over $10,000 so far.
Ashley Pemelton said she was grateful for the donations and the kind words from the community. She said her cousin was like a sister to her and that she will miss her dearly.
“She was my best friend, my confidant, my partner in crime,” Ashley Pemelton said. “She was always there for me, no matter what. She was an angel on earth.”
The Abilene Police Department has also issued a statement on its Facebook page, expressing its sympathy to Pemelton’s family and friends. The department also thanked the public for its cooperation and assistance in the investigation.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Destiny’s family and friends during this difficult time,” the statement read. “We appreciate the community’s support and tips that led to the arrest of Joshua Henry.”
