Fort Cavazos soldier charged with murder of civilian

A Fort Cavazos soldier has been charged with murder in the death of a civilian in Killeen, Texas, Army officials said Thursday.

According to the Army Office of Special Trial Counsel, Staff Sgt. Marlone L. Best is charged with first-degree murder and the February killing of Larry Kidd Jr., a 28-year-old father and semi-professional football player.

The two men got into an argument that resulted in Best pulling out a 9mm handgun outside a store in the 900 block of the West Central Texas Expressway on Feb. 17, 2024, according to Killeen police, who initially investigated Kidd's death. The block is located along the expressway at the intersection with Fort Hood Street and is home to a large shopping center. It is about 3 miles from the base.

Police were called around 8:05 p.m., where they found Kidd with multiple gunshot wounds. He was taken to the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center at Fort Cavazos, where he was pronounced dead around 8:39 p.m., police said.

The police arrested a man at the time, but could not determine his identity.

The police investigation report listed nearly 20 witnesses, two of whom were under the age of 18. Four other people were listed as being involved in the incident. All names except Kidd were redacted from the police report.

According to the Office of Special Trial Counsel, the Army held a preliminary hearing for Best on June 14, where an officer heard evidence in the case. Prosecutors decided on August 12 to file formal charges and begin a court-martial.

Army officials declined to issue an indictment against Best because he has not yet been tried. An arraignment hearing has not yet been scheduled.

Fort Cavazos did not respond to a request for Best's service record and unit assignment.

Kidd was not a member of the Army, according to his obituary. He spent his middle and high school years in Killeen and then played college and semi-pro football.

Fort Cavazos, formerly known as Fort Hood, is located on approximately 215,000 acres in Central Texas and is home to approximately 39,000 active duty soldiers.