A 34-year-old Fort Worth restaurant employee has been arrested and charged with capital murder following his alleged confession to killing a colleague who worked at the same establishment. Gregory D. Lewis is accused of shooting and killing 31-year-old Thomas King, whose body was discovered in a wooded area behind a business complex on the east side of Fort Worth.
King, who worked at a Taco Casa location on Bridgewood Drive in Fort Worth, was reported missing by his family on April 14 after he failed to return home following his shift the previous evening. The victim, who was last seen wearing his work uniform, was a father of two children and the eldest of four siblings.
Investigators tracked King’s vehicle to a Quality Inn located on Interstate 20 in Arlington. Security camera footage revealed Lewis arriving at the hotel in the missing man’s car shortly after King had completed his work shift on April 13. This discovery led detectives to identify Lewis as a person of interest, as both men were employed at the same restaurant.
Initially arrested on unrelated charges, Lewis allegedly confessed to the killing during subsequent questioning by homicide detectives. Fort Worth Police Officer Buddy Calzada confirmed that during the interview, the suspect admitted to murdering King and abandoning his vehicle at the hotel.
According to the arrest warrant, Lewis told investigators he had received a ride from King after their shift ended that night. The two men then drove to a nearby business complex, where the fatal shooting allegedly occurred. King’s remains were located on Friday in an open field in the wooded area behind that complex.
King lived with mental disabilities, including hearing and speech impediments, which his family believes may have made him vulnerable. His siblings have indicated they suspect workplace bullying may have played a role in the tragedy, suggesting their brother may have been viewed as an easy target due to his disabilities. A fundraising campaign established for King’s family describes him as someone who, despite his challenges, demonstrated daily commitment to his family and maintained a trusting, kind nature.
The victim’s family members have expressed their struggle to comprehend the circumstances surrounding his death, with one sister describing King as “the sweetest person” who typically kept to himself. They have questioned why someone would target their brother, who they say approached life with love and dedication despite his disabilities.
In addition to the capital murder charge, Lewis faces charges for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon and a parole violation, according to Tarrant County jail records. He remains in custody as the investigation continues.
Taco Casa, the regional restaurant chain where both men worked, released a statement expressing sorrow over the incident while emphasizing it occurred away from company premises and outside business hours. The company stated it had no prior knowledge of any conflicts between the two employees and reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a safe and respectful workplace environment for all team members.
The case has deeply affected the Fort Worth community, with Officer Calzada describing the situation as “very sad and very tragic,” particularly noting the impact on King’s family. The victim leaves behind two children with his high school sweetheart, along with his parents and three siblings who continue to seek answers about what led to this fatal encounter.
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