Fort Worth, Texas – Twin brothers have been arrested and charged with murder in connection with two separate fatal shootings in Fort Worth last November, one of which investigators believe may be tied to a revenge killing stemming from a humiliating gunpoint robbery in 2021.
Incident Overview
Authorities allege that Samuel Gbadebo and Solomon Gbadebo, both 20, were involved in the killings of Isaiah Gonzales, 20, and Devan Randles, 19, in two shootings that occurred weeks apart. Police say a tipster provided critical information linking the brothers to both cases, prompting arrests after weeks of limited progress in the investigations.
Timeline of Events
The first killing occurred in the early morning hours of Nov. 15, when Devan Randles was shot and killed in the parking lot of an apartment complex in Fort Worth. Just over two weeks later, on Nov. 30, Isaiah Gonzales was fatally shot outside his workplace, Flips Patio Grill, also in Fort Worth.
Despite early leads in both cases, investigators initially struggled to establish a direct suspect connection. A break came only after an anonymous informant contacted police with details that allegedly tied both shootings to the Gbadebo twins.
Details From Police and Investigators
According to a search warrant affidavit, the tipster told investigators that Isaiah Gonzales had robbed the Gbadebo twins at gunpoint in 2021, forcing them to strip naked during the incident. The informant claimed the November killing of Gonzales was an act of retaliation for that earlier robbery.
Gonzales was shot shortly after 2 a.m. as he left Flips Patio Grill with his girlfriend. Surveillance footage reportedly shows Gonzales entering a vehicle when two men approached from the edge of the parking lot and opened fire through the windshield. He was critically wounded and later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
“The suspects ambushed the victim moments after he entered the vehicle,” investigators noted in court documents.
While reviewing evidence connected to Gonzales, detectives discovered a video on his phone that showed two young Black men being held at gunpoint while nude. Police said facial recognition technology confirmed the individuals in the video were Samuel and Solomon Gbadebo.
It remains unclear whether Gonzales was ever arrested or charged for the alleged 2021 robbery.
Second Shooting and Vehicle Evidence
The earlier killing of Devan Randles occurred under different circumstances. Investigators said Randles and three other men were allegedly seen breaking into parked vehicles at an apartment complex shortly before gunfire erupted. Authorities have not publicly detailed what led directly to the shooting.
Security footage captured a white Nissan Altima fleeing the area moments after shots were fired. Police later traced the vehicle to the Gbadebo brothers’ mother, adding to investigators’ suspicions.
Search, Tipster, and Arrests
Police executed a search warrant at the twins’ apartment on Dec. 12, but at the time, no items were seized and authorities said they lacked sufficient evidence to make arrests. That changed after the anonymous tipster came forward with details linking the brothers to both killings.
Investigators have not publicly clarified the exact connection between the Gbadebos and Randles, if any, beyond the vehicle evidence and timeline overlap.
Both brothers were formally charged with murder and booked into the Tarrant County Jail on Jan. 15. Bond amounts have not yet been disclosed. Additional details from the warrant were reported by local outlets, including coverage published by the New York Post.
Additional Context and Public Safety Considerations
Law enforcement officials note that unresolved violent crimes often hinge on community cooperation. Anonymous tips, surveillance footage, and digital evidence increasingly play a central role in solving complex cases involving multiple incidents and delayed arrests.
Police continue to encourage the public to report information related to violent crimes, particularly when incidents involve retaliation or escalating cycles of violence.
Conclusion
The arrests of Samuel and Solomon Gbadebo mark a significant development in two previously unsolved Fort Worth homicides. As the cases move through the legal system, prosecutors will need to establish whether the shootings were connected by motive, opportunity, and intent.
Anyone with additional information related to these incidents is urged to contact local authorities. Share your experiences in the comments below.
