A tragic and senseless crime out of Texas has left a family mourning the loss of a father whose only “mistake” was refusing to hand over his food stamp card. According to the Amarillo Police Department, 57-year-old Paluku Valantin was brutally beaten to death by three individuals over something as heartbreaking and infuriating as his SNAP benefits.
The incident happened on September 25, when police were called to a Bluebell residence around 2 p.m. after reports of a deceased man. When officers arrived, they found Valantin showing clear signs of assault. The crime scene was immediately turned over to the Homicide Unit, and by that same evening, investigators had already identified a suspect: 33-year-old Alline Ndayishimiye, per Suggest.
Within a day, two more arrests followed. Police confirmed that 18-year-old Dashaun Timothy Jackson and 33-year-old Thomas Seldon Rendon were also taken into custody and charged in connection with Valantin’s murder. All three now face serious charges with bonds ranging from $500,000 to $1 million.
Texas Man Dies After Refusing To Give Food Stamps To Thieves
According to the criminal complaint, witnesses told investigators that Valantin was attacked after refusing to give up his food stamp card. The suspects allegedly wanted his EBT card and his cellphone, and when he wouldn’t comply, things turned violent. Surveillance footage reportedly captured the brutal attack, showing Ndayishimiye speaking with Valantin before signaling to Jackson and Rendon, who then exited a black BMW and joined in the assault.
The complaint states the three suspects beat Valantin with their fists and even used a glass bottle during the horrifying assault. What makes this even more disturbing is that, afterward, Ndayishimiye was allegedly seen using Valantin’s food stamp card at a local store, accompanied by the same two men accused of killing him.
In a tragic twist, a witness reportedly brought the injured Valantin to their apartment afterward to rest, believing he’d simply fallen asleep in the bathroom after the beating. But when they checked on him the next morning, Valantin was dead.
Another Tragic Story
Stories like this one hit hard not just because of the sheer cruelty involved, but because of what they say about desperation and decay in our communities. Texas is no stranger to violent crime, but the idea that someone could lose their life over a government-issued benefits card is almost too much to process. “This is the state of America right now,” one person commented online.
Valantin’s obituary describes him as a devoted father and son, survived by his parents and two boys who will now grow up without their dad. His death has sparked outrage online, with many questioning how such a small act of resistance could lead to such unimaginable violence.
As the investigation continues and justice slowly moves forward, this case serves as a painful reminder of how fragile life can be and how easily humanity can be lost in moments of greed and rage. Hopefully, Texas prosecutors ensure that Paluku Valantin’s killers never get the chance to harm another innocent person again.