Houston man linked to Round Top homicide dies by suicide after hours-long standoff: Deputies

FAYETTE COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- A Houston man wanted for questioning in connection with a murder died by suicide on Tuesday after an hours-long armed standoff inside a church in Fayette County, according to the Fayette County Sheriff's Office.

The homicide

The sheriff's office said deputies have been investigating the homicide of a 59-year-old California man who was found dead on Oct. 22 in the 2200 block of South SH-237.

Authorities were called to the scene at 7:44 a.m. after receiving a report of an unresponsive man lying in a driveway. Officials said the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

An autopsy conducted by the Travis County Medical Examiner's Office determined the preliminary cause of death was a gunshot wound, and the death was ruled a homicide.

During the investigation, detectives identified a 56-year-old DJone Reeves as a person of interest.

Investigators said Reeves and Lerner were both vendors at the fair and knew each other, but they wouldn't go into detail.

Round Top is known for its weeks-long antique fair, which draws thousands of people from around the world to shop for antiques and art.

In a tribute posted on Instagram by Marburger Farm, the antique venue Lerner worked with, it calls him a beloved dealer and friend.

The suicide

Investigators learned on Tuesday that Reeves, who lives in Houston, planned to travel to a historic church on SH-237 near Round Top using a rideshare service.

After dropping the man off at the church, the rideshare driver contacted authorities and reported that he had been held at gunpoint and forced to drive from Houston to the church, according to the sheriff's office. The driver was not injured and was later released, authorities added.

Deputies said they found the armed man inside the church, prompting a standoff.

Authorities said they negotiated with the man for several hours before the incident ended when he took his own life, officials said.

The church seemed significant to Reeves. The sheriff's office said Reeves appears to have exchanged symbolic vows with a woman at the church previously and noted the woman is not involved in this case.

Reeves' criminal history

ABC13 found that Reeves has an extensive criminal history in Texas, including being sentenced to 14 years out of Galveston County for the attempted murder of a Galveston police officer in 1987.

But it appears he only served about four years because, in 1991, he was sentenced to 60 years for the delivery of a controlled substance outside of Dallas. Court records show he served only about 11 years for that crime.

An investigation remains ongoing.