2022-02-01 Bates

Shooting Death of Zaedrion Amon Morgan – East Amarillo Incident

Zaedrion Amon Morgan, 26, was shot and killed on Tuesday, February 1, 2022, in the 2600 block of South Spring Street in east Amarillo. Jameeka Monique Bates, 25, was arrested, charged with murder, and later pleaded guilty to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, receiving a 12-year prison sentence.^[1]

Incident

According to the Amarillo Police Department, officers were called to the 2600 block of South Spring Street at approximately 10:29 a.m. on February 1, 2022, on a call regarding a male with a life-threatening gunshot wound to the upper body.

Officers arrived at the scene and found Zaedrion Amon Morgan, 26, suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper body. He was treated but later died from his injuries.^[2]

In an update provided around 11:34 a.m., officials said that officers detained multiple people at the scene.

Arrest and Charges

The Amarillo Police Department announced that one person, 25-year-old Jameeka Monique Bates, was detained "and later charged with murder" in the wake of the Tuesday shooting in the 2600 block of South Spring Street.

Bates was booked into the Potter County Detention Center.

Indictment

According to a complaint filed by the Potter County District Clerk, Jameeka Monique Bates was indicted on charges in connection with the shooting death Morgan.

The complaint states that Bates was indicted by the Grand Jurors for Potter County of the District Court of the 320th Judicial District for Murder, a first-degree felony.

Plea and Sentencing

According to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, a woman who was indicted for murder after the February 2022 shooting death of a man in east Amarillo faced 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

According to court documents, 27-year-old Jameeka Bates pleaded guilty on Tuesday to an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge in Potter County and was sentenced to 12 years. Bates was also recently sentenced to eight years in Randall County on another aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge, which she was expected to serve concurrently.

Bates was originally indicted on a murder charge in May 2022 after being arrested and charged with murder in February 2022 after the shooting death of 26-year-old Amon Morgan in east Amarillo.

Case Timeline

• February 1, 2022: Shooting occurs at 2600 block of South Spring Street; Morgan found with gunshot wound; multiple people detained at scene

• February 2, 2022: APD announces Jameeka Monique Bates charged with murder; booked into Potter County Detention Center

• May 2022: Bates indicted on murder charge by Potter County Grand Jury

• Date of Plea: Bates pleads guilty to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon (reduced from murder charge)

• Sentencing: Bates sentenced to 12 years in prison (plus 8 years in Randall County on separate charge, to run concurrently)