Vaughn lay beaten to death in the yard in front of his store on July 29, 2010. Investigators say he had been outside for multiple hours. People in the community liked him, and some called him "Uncle Tommy."
Over the last 16 years, the Cold Case Unit has sent multiple pieces of evidence to DPS for DNA testing. Officials say they have interviewed hundreds of people, but nothing new has emerged. Police made an arrest in 2020, but no charges followed, and no other warrants exist.
Sgt. Joel Hodges of the Amarillo Police Department's Cold Case Unit says investigators have a couple of suspects but need help tying them to the killing. They are also working a couple of avenues to move the case forward. They need cooperation from people who, Hodges said, are unhappy with police. "I'm the new guy, and I am willing to do whatever these people want us to do to help them," he said. "It would be amazing if somebody would just come forward and talk to me about it."
Anyone with information can call the Cold Case Unit at 806-378-6468, submit a tip at amapolice.org or through the P3 Tips App, or send an anonymous tip to Amarillo Crime Stoppers at 806-374-4400.