A Dallas, Texas man convicted of murder in April must spend the rest of his life in prison, a Caddo District Court judge has decreed.

Noel Deon Garner, 30, killed Shreveporter Jermond Houston, 25, in a West 70th Street convenience store in January 2022.

Bound by state law, District Judge Donald Hathaway Jr. on Thursday, June 12, ordered Garner to serve life in prison without possibility of probation, parole or suspension of sentence.

The January 20, 2022, slaying occurred inside the Shell Station in the 5400 block of West 70th Street just after midnight. Garner walked into the store while victim Houston was checking out. Garner approached Houston from behind and snatched a 9mm handgun with an extended magazine from Houston’s right pocket. Houston tried to flee out the door of the Shell Station but before he could exit, Garner opened fire, bullets striking Houston in the back. Garner continued to fire at Houston as he struck the ground. Garner shot Houston 26 times and even managed to shoot himself in a foot. He then fled in a white sedan that later was found and impounded.

Assistant District Attorneys Christopher Bowman and Stephen Folk-Cruthirds prosecuted Garner. Richard “Ti-Dale” Woolbert defended him. The case was docket No. 387323.