KXXV-TV News Channel 25 - Central Texas News and Weather for Waco, Temple, Killeen | DNA Links Waco Man to Murder

DNA Links Waco Man to Murder

WACO -- A murder suspect is in police custody in connection with the June 2nd murder of Charles White after investigators matched DNA found at the scene.

White, 44, was found around 1:00 a.m. by officers lying in the backyard of his home in the 3600 block of Homan, suffering from gunshot wounds to his upper body. He was later pronounced dead th the scene.

Raheem Abdullah Watkins, 27, of Waco, was arrested Thursday and charged with Murder.

During the initial investigation blood found at the scene was collected and submitted to the Texas Department of Public Safety Laboratory for analysis. 

On Monday, investigators in this case were notified by the DPS Laboratory supervisor that the blood sample that had been submitted was matched to Raheem Abdullah Watkins. 

A warrant was issued Wednesday for the arrest of Raheem Watkins for the murder of Charles White.  Watkins was located in the 1000 block of Preston by Patrol Officers just before 4:30 p.m.,  and arrested after a brief foot chase.  Watkins was found to be in possession of crack cocaine and marijuana at the time of his arrest. 

Family members told officers that White had gone outside to check the fuse box on the house because the power had gone out.  Shortly after White went outside, family members heard several gunshots. When one of the family members looked outside they saw what looked like a male subject running out of the backyard and get into a car parked in the alley.