By Ryan Anderson

Copyright hoodline

In a grave conclusion to a case that has gripped the local community since last year, Royce Loggins, age 31, has been handed a 40-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to the 2023 murder of Shawn Joseph, previously a DoorDash driver reported missing in October. According to details shared by the City of Round Rock’s official website, the investigation unfolded with the discovery of a suspicious vehicle—later tied to Joseph—and a series of incriminating evidence that led authorities directly to Loggins.

Investigators were called to a Walmart parking lot where they found a bloodied scene next to Joseph’s mother’s car, driven by him while delivering food the night he vanished, this break in the case was swiftly followed by digital detective work including the use of surveillance footage and license plate recognition technology, detectives singled out Loggins, who knew the victim, as their person of interest. Loggins was eventually arrested in a Haltom City hotel, where police discovered two firearms, cleaning supplies, and subsequently, one firearm was matched to the crime. Police Chief Allen Banks, in a statement to Round Rock, Texas, official news, remarked, “We know nothing can fully heal the pain Shawn’s family carries, but we hope this resolution offers them some comfort and closure.”

As the case drew to its conclusion, electronic data was further scrutinized, leading the law enforcement team to a rural locale in Milam County where Joseph’s body was eventually discovered. An autopsy confirmed that he had died from a gunshot wound to the head. The seamless cooperation between multiple agencies was pivotal in pinpointing Joseph’s fate and bringing Loggins to justice.

The community’s resilience and the relentless pursuit of justice by law enforcement provide some solace in the wake of such tragedies. The Williamson County District Attorney’s Office received accolades for its efforts in securing the conviction—with the diligent help of law enforcement partners—to bring about closure for those who mourn Shawn Joseph.