TYLER, Texas — An East Texas man was sentenced to 12 years in prison on Monday for killing a man during an argument on Memorial Day 2022 in Tyler.
Christopher Ryan Henry, of Flint, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in connection with the shooting death of Austin Lee Deweerdlt, 33, of Tyler, on May 30, 2022 in Tyler. He was then sentenced to 12 years, according to court officials.
Henry was initially charged with murder at the time of his arrest. He pleaded guilty to the lesser charge on Monday.
The shooting in the 800 block of Pinedale Place, where Deweerdlt was critically injured at this residence and he later died. Deweerdlt’s girlfriend told investigators that Henry had to come to Deweerdlt’s house to get Xanax from her. Deweerdlt drove up to the residence and immediately got out of the vehicle verbally confronting Henry.
Both men started arguing, yelling, and cursing at one another. Deweerdlt “slammed” Henry to the ground and the men began to "wrestle" on the ground. She was able to separate the men. But Henry took out a handgun and threatened to shoot Deweerdlt, the affidavit read.
The document stated Deweerdlt went to his truck and came back with his handgun. While yelling at each other, Henry continued pointing his gun at Deweerdlt, who held his gun by his side, the affidavit read.
Deweerdlt’s girlfriend talked Deweerdlt into letting Henry leave and moving his truck, but Henry wouldn't leave. Deweerdlt pushed Henry on to the ground and they wrestled again, the affidavit said.
The girlfriend said Henry pointed the gun and shot Deweerdlt multiple times. She also said Deweerdlt was backing away when Henry fired the gun. She told Henry to leave and she called 911, the document read.
Henry told police Deweerdlt was “taunting” him saying that he wouldn't shoot while Henry pointed the gun, according to the affidavit. He claimed Deweerdlt knocked Henry to the ground and punched him repeatedly in the face and on the side, the affidavit stated.
Investigators found Henry's injuries inconsistent with claims that Deweerdlt was on top of him and repeatedly punching. Security video also showed inconsistencies as well, the document explained.