Army Spc. Clarence James “CJ” White died from a gunshot wound Jan. 27, 2024, in Nolanville, Texas, while assigned to Fort Cavazos. Another soldier has been charged in his death. (Photo provided by Thompson, Hall and Jordan Funeral Home)
AUSTIN, Texas — A Fort Cavazos soldier was charged Wednesday in the shooting death of a fellow soldier a year ago along a highway near the Texas Army base, according to Army prosecutors.
Spc. Kip Holloway, 25, will face a preliminary hearing to determine whether he will go to a court-martial for the death of Spc. Clarence James “CJ” White, 26, said Michelle McCaskill, spokeswoman for the Army Office of Special Trial Counsel. The charges against him are unpremeditated murder, voluntary manslaughter and aggravated assault.
A hearing has not yet been scheduled.
White’s family said in a statement that they are “encouraged to see this case moving forward after all the time that has passed. We will be involved and following the case through its conclusion. We still hold out hope for justice for CJ.”
The two soldiers were traveling along Interstate Highway 14 at about 9 a.m. on Jan. 27, 2024, when they exited onto the access road near the town of Nolanville, the town’s police department said at the time. The shooting occurred inside the vehicle, killing White, who was in the passenger seat, and injuring Holloway, the driver. Holloway called 911.
White was shot in the head, according to an autopsy report from the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences in Dallas.
Nolanville, home to about 6,000 people, is roughly 15 miles east of Fort Cavazos. Nolanville police said last year that they gave jurisdiction of the case to the Army.
The charges against Holloway, a tank crewmember, are preliminary and must go before an evidentiary hearing known in the military as an Article 32 hearing. In that hearing, an officer will hear the evidence and determine whether there is enough to go forward with a court-martial. The officer’s determination will be considered by the Office of Special Trial Counsel, which will ultimately decide how to proceed.
Both soldiers were assigned to the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, McCaskill said.
White of Cincinnati, Ohio, enlisted in the infantry in 2021 and attended basic training at Fort Moore, Ga., according to his obituary. Fort Cavazos was his first duty station and he deployed to Europe during his two years of service.
