Bowie County grand jury hands down murder indictment in January shooting

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A Bowie County grand jury that met Thursday in New Boston handed down a murder indictment in the Jan. 30 shooting death of a Liberty-Eylau man.

Randall Lloyd Foster, 36, is accused of first-degree murder with a prior felony conviction in the fatal shooting of 40-year-old Donald “Donnie” Smallwood. Bowie County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to a trailer in the 400 block of Terrace Plaza at about 7 p.m. Jan. 30, according to a probable cause affidavit.

There they found Smallwood lying face down in the doorway of his residence suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to his head and body.

“Life saving efforts proved futile,” the affidavit states.

Smallwood’s wife allegedly told investigators she was in the living room when Smallwood answered a knock on the door. The woman reported hearing Smallwood tell Foster to stop pointing a gun at him shortly before the first of numerous shots were fired. Smallwood’s wife said she retreated to the kitchen after Foster pointed the gun at her. She allegedly told investigators she was pleading with Foster to let her hold Smallwood before Foster fired one last shot into the side of Smallwood’s head and departed.

Foster was arrested the same day at a relative’s home in the 600 block of Pecan Street in Maud, Texas. Foster allegedly surrendered a Ruger 9 mm pistol and himself to authorities after speaking to his father.

In an interview with investigators, Foster allegedly admitted to shooting Smallwood and claimed he harbored resentment toward him for introducing him to methamphetamine. Foster allegedly suspected Smallwood had improper contact with Foster’s wife while Foster was in jail, according to the affidavit.

Foster was indicted on two counts of sexual assault of a child and two counts of indecency with a child by the grand jury Thursday for alleged conduct unrelated to Smallwood’s murder. Foster is scheduled to appear before 102nd District Judge Bobby Lockhart next month.

Murder is punishable by five to 99 years or life in Texas. If convicted, Foster could face an increased punishment because of a prior felony conviction alleged in the indictment. All of the sexual offenses charged are punishable by two to 20 years in prison.

Foster’s bail is set at $1 million. He is being held in the Bowie County jail.

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