Police Arrest and Charge Two Suspects in Abilene Officer’s Death, Denounce ‘Absolutely False’ Reports Circulating Online

The Abilene Police Department in Texas announced that two suspects have been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in the case of an off-duty officer who was found dead in his home Monday.

"It is with bittersweet emotion that I am announcing two arrests in connection to the murder of Officer Don Allen," the department's public information officer said in a statement Thursday evening. 

Philip Walter was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in the death of Abilene police officer Don Allen. Police said they would release Violetta Walter's mugshot after she was booked. As of Friday morning, her mugshot had not yet been posted.(Image source: Abilene Police Department)

Abilene police and Texas Rangers arrested 30-year-old Violetta Walter and 29-year-old Philip Walter at an apartment complex after 6 p.m. with their bond set at $500,000 each.

The public information officer said that the investigation is still ongoing and specifics cannot yet be released but added that the authorities were "able to link the suspects to property taken from Don Allen’s residence."

"Additionally, physical evidence recovered at the scene has linked the suspects to the crime. While I cannot discuss the specifics, we are confident that we have taken the correct people into custody. We do not believe there are any other suspects," the statement read.

Allen's family was notified of the arrest Thursday night.

"All investigators have worked tirelessly on this investigation," the public information officer said. "I am grateful to all of them, and especially to the Texas Rangers. They would be standing here with me if they were not still neck deep in the investigation. I also extend my sincere thanks to the Clyde Police Department, FBI and ATF. They have walked with us through this terrible ordeal."

Allen's funeral is scheduled for Friday.

In an earlier statement, the police department said the officer's murder appeared to be a "premeditated act," giving authorities no "indication that random law enforcement personnel are being targeted."

On Thursday, the Abilene Police Department said that it had seen "anti-police rhetoric being written on the walls and stories of torture." These were called "absolutely false."

"We have no information right now to indicate this was a random targeting event of a law enforcement officer," the statement reiterated. "We are not ruling that out, we just simply cannot say that it is right now. Regardless of the motive, there is a dangerous criminal or criminals out there and we need the public’s help to find them."

Allen's death came just days after on-duty Harris County Deputy Darren Goforth was shot and killed while filling up his gas tank.