Arrest made in ‘execution style murder’ of Fort Worth gun clerk

A 22-year-old Fort Worth man is in jail, accused in the “execution style murder” of a gun store clerk, police said Wednesday.

Gerry M. Handsborough Jr. was taken into custody on a murder warrant at his attorney’s office Wednesday. He had been on the run since Dec. 16, when police notified his family that a warrant had been issued for his arrest in connection with the slaying of Eric Kent Peterson, 32, an Army veteran.

In a video released by police after the Dec. 13 shooting, Handsborough was identified as a customer they were seeking as a person of interest.

In the video, Handsborough can be seen purchasing a box of ammunition from Peterson at Military Gun Supply, 2901 S. Cravens Road, then appearing to leave.

Peterson was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy determined that Peterson died from multiple high-velocity gunshot wounds to the chest.

Peterson, a Keller High School graduate, had survived close calls while serving in Iraq.

His father, William Peterson, previously told the Star-Telegram that he and his wife worried about their son working at the store.

“There are shops that are in better parts of Fort Worth, but he liked it there,” William Peterson said.

Handsborough’s Facebook page indicates that he had also served in the Army. On it, the 2010 Trimble Tech High School graduate makes reference to entering basic training in 2010 and has pictures of himself in his military uniform and fatigues.

It is believed that Handsborough was dishonorably discharged from the service, police said.

Handsborough had previously been handled by Fort Worth police in January 2012 after gang unit officers observed a suspicious vehicle next to a closed business. Handsborough, the only occupant of the car, was arrested after officers found a gun and what they believed to be K2 in his possession.

Handsborough was later charged with unlawful carrying of a weapon and sentenced to one-year deferred adjudication probation in June 2012, according to Tarrant County court records.

The case was closed in July 2013 after his probation was completed.

Staff writer Deanna Boyd contributed to this report, which includes information from the Star-Telegram archives.

This story was originally published December 24, 2014 at 5:20 PM with the headline "Arrest made in ‘execution style murder’ of Fort Worth gun clerk."