FORT WORTH, TX — A heartbreaking missing persons case has turned into a capital murder investigation after a local fast-food worker confessed to the brutal slaying of his colleague. Gregory D. Lewis, 34, is now behind bars in Tarrant County, accused of killing 31-year-old Thomas King, a devoted father of two who family members say was targeted because of his disabilities.
The tragedy began on April 13, when King was last seen wearing his Taco Casa uniform after finishing a shift at the Bridgewood Drive location in Fort Worth. When the “sweetest person” failed to return home to his high school sweetheart and their children, his family immediately sensed something was wrong and reported him missing.
The Investigation: Tracking a Killer
Fort Worth Police detectives began their search by tracking King’s vehicle, which led them to a Quality Inn on Interstate 20 in Arlington. Surveillance footage proved pivotal, showing Lewis—who worked alongside King at the Tex-Mex chain—arriving at the hotel in the victim’s car shortly after their work shift ended.
After initially being picked up on unrelated charges, Lewis allegedly broke down during interrogation. According to Fort Worth Police Officer Buddy Calzada, the defendant confessed to murdering King and abandoning his vehicle. On Friday, investigators made the grim discovery of King’s body in a wooded area behind a business complex on the east side of Fort Worth.
A Family Seeking Answers: Was Bullying the Motive?
While police have not officially released a motive, King’s family believes his kind nature and physical challenges made him a target. King lived with a mental disability and a speech and hearing impediment.
“He was the sweetest person,” his sister told local reporters, adding that she believes he was being bullied at work. “I feel like they felt like he was an easy target.”
A GoFundMe page organized for the family echoes these claims, stating that the suspect had “previously bullied him and took advantage of his kind nature and limited mental capabilities.” Despite his struggles, King was described as a man of immense strength who showed up every day to provide for his young children.
Taco Casa Responds
Taco Casa, the regional chain headquartered in Fort Worth, released a statement expressing profound distress over the loss of life involving two of its employees. However, the company noted that the incident occurred “off company property and outside of working hours.”
The company stated they had no prior knowledge of conflicts between the two men, adding, “Taco Casa is committed to fostering a safe, respectful, and supportive work environment.”
Charges and Next Steps
Gregory D. Lewis is currently facing several serious charges, including:
- Capital Murder
- Unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon
- Parole violation
As the Fort Worth community mourns the loss of a man who “did not deserve what happened to him,” the King family is left waiting for more answers.
What do you think, Fort Worth? Should companies be held more accountable for monitoring workplace bullying, even if incidents happen off-site? How can we better protect our community members living with disabilities?
Please share your prayers for the King family and leave your thoughts in the comments below.
