‘Daddy shot the guy’: Child witnesses murder of Ft. Bliss soldier
Update (March 27, 2025): Court documents newly obtained by ABC-7 reveal that the party happened at an Airbnb. They state that both Eric Mathis and Edward Smith got off shots during a confrontation between the pair in the street in front of the Airbnb. A witness told police that they saw Mathis' six-year-old stepson with him during the incident.
After the confrontation, a friend helped drive Mathis and his stepson to an emergency room. Court documents state that Mathis had an arm injury. According to court documents, forensic interviewers spoke with Mathis' stepson, who said "Daddy shot the gun," and "Daddy shot the guy."
Court documents state that investigators found blood inside Mathis' car.
Update (March 26, 2025): A spokesperson for the 1st Armored Division says Eric Mathis is a specialist with the 32nd Army Air and Missile Command at Ft. Bliss, and Edward Smith was a private with the 1st Armored Division. The spokesperson released the following statement:
"Spc. Eric Mathis, a soldier assigned to the 32nd Army Air and Missile Command at Fort Bliss, Texas, was arrested in connection to the shooting that killed Pvt. Edward Smith, a soldier of the 1st Armored Division, that occurred in East El Paso on Feb. 28. Mathis is being held in the El Paso County Detention Center. Fort Bliss is fully cooperating with the local law enforcement as they continue their investigation. Please direct further inquiries to the El Paso Police Department."
Arturo “Art” Rodriguez
MAJ, FA46
Public Affairs Deputy
1st Armored Division (HSMC)
Fort Bliss, Texas
Update (March 25, 2025): El Paso Police announced the arrest of Eric Lamarr Mathis, 24. He is charged with murder, police officials say. Officials took him into custody at Ft. Bliss and he was booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility on a $1,500,000 bond.
Police ask anyone with information on the alleged murder to call their non-emergency number at (915) 832-4400 or call Crime Stoppers of El Paso at (915) 566-TIPS (8477).
Update (March 6, 2025): Police officials identified the victim as Edward Daquan Smith, 23, explaining that he was found with a gunshot wound. He died at the scene.
Investigators say a fight broke out within a large gathering of people. That then escalated into a shooting and the crowd fled before officers got there, according to police officials.
"Investigators are asking the community if anyone has information on this murder to please get in touch with the police at 915-832-4400 or, to remain anonymous call Crime Stoppers of El Paso at (915)566-TIPS(8477) Investigators continue the investigation," officials explained.
The shooting happened at 11:58 PM on Saturday, February 28, 2025.
Update (3:11 AM): According to the El Paso Fire Department, one person was declared dead on scene.
EPFD received reports of a shooting, shots fired, and people fighting at 11:59 p.m. Friday night.
This is an ongoing investigation, but we will keep you updated on air and online as more information becomes available.
(March 1, 2025) El Paso, Texas (KVIA) -- At least one person was shot early Saturday morning in Far East El Paso.
The El Paso Police Department received a call at 12:04 a.m. about a shooting at the 2100 block of Setting Sun Dr.
That's in Far East El Paso near Loop 375 and Zaragoza.
The EPPD Crimes Against Persons unit is now investigating.
We will update you on air and online as more information become available.
