Fort Worth man charged with capital murder in fatal robbery at alleged gambling house, affidavit says

Investigators say a Fort Worth man helped lure robbery victims back to a gambling house, where one was fatally shot during the holdup.

FORT WORTH, Texas — A Fort Worth man has been charged with capital murder after investigators said cell phone records, witness statements and a co-defendant’s admissions linked him to a deadly robbery at an alleged gambling house.

Jaquori McDaniel, 21, is accused in the May 4, 2025, shooting death of Claude Smith during what police described as an aggravated robbery inside a residence where illegal gambling was taking place, according to an affidavit. Smith died on June 13 from complications related to the gunshot wounds he suffered in the robbery. 

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According to the affidavit, officers responded shortly after midnight on May 4 after Smith was brought to a hospital by his nephew with multiple gunshot wounds. Investigators determined the two men had been robbed inside a home in west Fort Worth’s Como neighborhood before Smith was shot. 

Police said Smith and his nephew had gambled at the house several times before the robbery. The affidavit identifies the alleged host as Kennard Ivory, who was known by the nickname “Papa” and allegedly received a cut of the gambling winnings. Ivory was arrested in August 2025 in connection to Smith’s death. 

Investigators said Smith and his nephew had won several thousand dollars from games in the days leading up to the robbery, including money won from Ivory and another man identified as Jerome Watkins Jr., who allegedly went by the nickname “Oso.” Watkins was arrested in August 2025.

According to the affidavit, Ivory called the pair after they left with their winnings and encouraged them to return the following day. 

When the two men returned on the night of the robbery, investigators said Ivory, Watkins and another unidentified man were already inside the residence. After Ivory walked to the back of the house, a masked gunman armed with a rifle entered through the front door, police said. Smith was shot multiple times while trying to flee. Meanwhile, Watkins allegedly pointed a handgun at Smith’s nephew, demanded his property and threatened to kill him if he moved, according to the affidavit. 

The surviving victim told investigators another armed man accompanying Watkins also held him at gunpoint and took his cellphone before the suspects fled. Before being taken to the hospital, Smith allegedly told his nephew that Ivory had stolen thousands of dollars from him while he lay wounded on the floor. 

As the investigation continued, detectives identified Watkins as “Oso” through a photo lineup and later interviewed him during a traffic stop in August 2025. According to the affidavit, Watkins admitted he was present during the shooting, said he pulled out a handgun when the gunfire began and told investigators he fled with another man known as “Coozi.” Watkins also said “Coozi’s” brother had the surname McDaniel. 

Investigators later obtained subscriber information for a phone number associated with “Coozi,” which they said belonged to McDaniel. Detectives said call records showed McDaniel communicated regularly with both Ivory before the robbery and Watkins before and after the crime. Police also noted that McDaniel’s mother and Ivory shared the surname Ivory. 

When McDaniel was interviewed following a June 30, 2026, traffic stop, police said he initially denied knowing the residence or ever being there. After further questioning, he acknowledged Ivory was his cousin and said he had “rarely” been to the house. McDaniel told investigators he was at a business in Fort Worth’s West 7th district during the robbery and denied being present. 

According to the affidavit, investigators said McDaniel’s cellphone location data contradicted that claim, placing his device in the Como neighborhood before and after the robbery rather than in the West 7th area. Detectives also cited witness descriptions, phone records and Watkins’ statements in concluding McDaniel was the armed suspect who took property during the robbery. 

McDaniel is charged with capital murder because investigators allege Smith was killed while the suspects were committing or attempting to commit aggravated robbery.