BREAKING: Beaumont police arrest suspect in Babe Zaharias Park murder

Beaumont — Beaumont police have arrested a suspect accused of murder in a shooting death at Babe Zaharias Park.

Police obtained a murder warrant for Taji Malik Myers, 27, of Beaumont.

Working off information they obtained through their investigation, BPD says it closed in on Myers at about 6:30 Wednesday night. According to police, he tried to flee the area but they quickly took him into custody.

Officers brought him to the police station to speak with detectives. A number of officers, including Sgt. Jesus Tamayo, a longtime homicide investigator, escorted Myers to a waiting patrol unit for the trip to jail.

Justice of the Peace Ben Collins Sr. pre-set Myers' bond at $1 million.

Detectives tell us later Wednesday night they located Ebony Griffin. They believe she was a witness to the homicide and they wanted to speak with her.

"We've received a lot of Crime Stoppers tips in the last week in reference to this case and followed every one of those leads, attempting to locate the suspect," Officer Haley Morrow told KFDM following the Wednesday night arrest of Myers. "Great work by them and by our patrol officers for being out there and taking him into custody, and of course, our citizens for remaining vigilent."

Investigators say Myers shot and killed 24-year-old Atrail Blaine Vallian, of Beaumont. Vallian died at a hospital.

Police responded to the shooting at about 10:25 p.m. Friday at Babe Zaharias Park, 1750 Interstate 10.

According to detectives, Myers and a woman left the scene in a Buick LeSabre.

The Criminal Investigations Unit worked throughout the night, the weekend and this week, following up with witness information, tips from the community and information from patrol officers.

Police put yellow crime scene tape around the pavilion at the park.

Sgt. Tamayo was on scene for hours with a number of other officers.

The suspect vehicle was located and seized shortly after the homicide.

Officers searched his residence Saturday morning.

Anyone else with information is asked to call Beaumont Police at 409-832-1234 or Southeast Texas Crime Stoppers 409-833-TIPS (8477). You can also download the P3 Tips App on your smartphone. All Crime Stoppers tips are anonymous and you may be eligible for a cash reward.