Man killed at birthday party
Updated 7/29/08
Grand Prairie police arrested Christopher Lee Heck, 21, in connection with the Sunday night shooting death of his mother’s boyfriend, thirty-six year-old Donald Lee Cates.
Detective John Brimmer, spokesman for Grand Prairie police, said officers were called to a residence in the 400 block of NW 20th Street around 11:45 p.m. to investigate a shooting where officers found Cates outside the residence dead with gun shot wounds to his chest and head. A handgun was found near the shooting scene.
Witnesses told investigators, Heck, who will turn 22 on Tuesday, was celebrating with a birthday party at the residence. During the party, Heck became involved in an altercation with Cates. Cates struck Heck in the mouth breaking a tooth.
Heck then retrieved a handgun from inside the residence, confronted the unarmed Cates and shot him multiple times with a 380 caliber handgun.
Detective Brimmer said both men had been drinking.
About 45 minutes later officers located Heck walking along NW 19th Street at Interstate 30. Officers arrested Heck without incident.
Heck is currently in the Dallas County Jail charged with First Degree Murder and is being held on a $250,000 bond.
