Abilene man indicted for murder in alleged drug-related assault case

ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – An Abilene man accused of killing a man in an alleged assault and drug deal situation has been indicted for murder.

On July 7, 2025, Abilene dispatch received multiple 911 calls reporting a shooting at the Maison Blanche Apartments in the 2800 block of Sayles Boulevard.

When officers arrived on the scene, they found a man lying unresponsive in the roadway at the intersection of South 28th Street and Highland Avenue. He had suffered at least one gunshot wound and was pronounced dead. The victim was identified as 21-year-old Blessed Alifi Zola.

Shortly after the shooting, court documents state that a woman — who is said to be in a relationship with the suspect — was seen using a blunt object to damage Zola’s vehicle on all sides and slashed the tires with a knife. The suspect, 31-year-old Christopher Whittington, was then seen leaving the area in a car registered to the woman.

Police later interviewed the woman, who told investigators that Whittington had come to her apartment to sell narcotics to Zola. During the visit, she said an argument broke out between her and Zola, during which Zola allegedly made sexual advances, grabbed her arm, and pushed her.

According to court records, Whittington became upset during the confrontation and fired at least one round, striking Zola. Zola fled the apartment complex but collapsed in the roadway, where he later died.

On October 2, 2025, Whittington was indicted by a grand jury. He remains held in the Taylor County Jail on a $1,000,000 bond.